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. 2011 Dec;35(6):561-6.
doi: 10.4093/dmj.2011.35.6.561. Epub 2011 Dec 26.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korea

Sang Woo Oh  1
Affiliations

Obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korea

Sang Woo Oh. Diabetes Metab J. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

In Korea, a person with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m(2) is considered obese, and a person with a BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) is classified as severely obese. Central obesity is defined as a waist circumference ≥90 cm for Korean men and ≥85 cm for Korean women. Recent epidemiologic data show that the prevalence of severe obesity and metabolic syndrome is steadily increasing. These epidemics increased morbidity and mortality of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity-related cancers such as breast, colorectal, and other cancers in Korea. Decreased physical activity, increased fat and alcohol consumption, heavy smoking, and stress/depressed mood are the primary modifiable life-style risk factors for Koreans. Recently, public health interventions to encourage life-style changes have shown promising results in reducing the prevalence of severe obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: Cut-point; Definition; Intervention; Lifestyle; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Prevalence; Risk factor.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of the prevalence of severe obesity by age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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