Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/enm-kes/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-12.txt): failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 100 Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 101 Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity in Korea
Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

Endocrinol Metab : Endocrinology and Metabolism

clarivate
OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search
Advanced Search
mobile menu button

Articles

Page Path
HOME > Endocrinol Metab > Volume 31(4); 2016 > Article
Review Article
Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity in Korea
Kyoung Hwa Ha1,2orcid, Dae Jung Kim1,2orcid
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2016;31(4):510-518.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2016.31.4.510
Published online: November 3, 2016

1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

2Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.

Corresponding author: Dae Jung Kim. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 World cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 16499, Korea. Tel: +82-31-219-5128, Fax: +82-31-219-4497, djkim@ajou.ac.kr
• Received: September 2, 2016   • Revised: September 23, 2016   • Accepted: September 30, 2016

Copyright © 2016 Korean Endocrine Society

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

  • 7,198 Views
  • 76 Download
  • 43 Web of Science
  • 40 Crossref
  • 41 Scopus
prev next
Full Article

Download PDF Download PDF

  • Over the past several decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide and is increasing not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries. This increase may lead to an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. In Korean children and adolescents, the prevalence of obesity increased from 6.8% in 1998 to 10.0% in 2013. Obesity is a state that more commonly influences children and adolescents of lower socioeconomic status (SES) than those with a higher SES. However, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents decreased from 1998 to 2012. According to the Diabetes Fact Sheet of the Korean Diabetes Association, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among children aged 18 years or younger was 153.5 per 100,000 in 2006 and 205.0 per 100,000 in 2013. Obesity is a complex disease influenced by many interacting factors, such as adipocytokines, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, adenovirus 36 infection, birth weight, lifestyle, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Obesity in youth can adversely impact practically every organ system and lead to serious consequences, such as metabolic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and psychosocial complications. Therefore, coordinated efforts by governments, organizations, communities, and individuals are needed to prevent and treat childhood obesity. In particular, a long-term policy to improve the social environment will also be necessary.
  • Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Diabetes mellitus; Metabolic syndrome; Pediatric obesity; Republic of Korea
The global prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically over the past several decades. Overweight and obesity are among the leading causes of all-cause mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); an estimated 3.4 million people died due to overweight and obesity in 2010, which accounted for 4% of the DALYs that year [1]. In 2008, the burden of obesity was estimated to be 1.46 billion overweight adults and 502 million obese adults [2]. The prevalence of child overweight and obesity has also increased not only in developed countries, but also in developing countries [3]. Overweight and obesity are particularly well documented as contributors to chronic diseases in adults [4]. A similar rise in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity might also lead to an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases throughout the lifespan.
Overall, the prevalence of obesity increased from 6.8% to 10.0% of Korean children and adolescents during the period 1998 to 2013. The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically during the past 35 years, climbing 6-fold in boys and 3-fold in girls (Table 1, Fig. 1) [56]. Obesity is a state that has a greater influence on children and adolescents of lower socioeconomic status (SES) compared with those of higher SES. From 1998 to 2009, the prevalence of obesity in Korean children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years in the low-SES groups (lowest income quartile) increased from 5.0% to 9.7%. However, in those with a higher SES (highest income quartile), the prevalence of obesity decreased from 6.6% to 5.5% in that same time period [7]. Many studies have reported that SES, which can influence lifestyle such as food choice and physical activity, is associated with a risk of obesity in both adults and children [89]. In Korea, Kang et al. [10] have reported that a low paternal education level and the presence of non-parental caregivers were associated with a risk of childhood obesity. Oh and Hong [11] have indicated that the rates of household food insecurity were high in low-income urban families, and household food insecurity is related to childhood obesity.
Obesity is principally responsible to the growing worldwide prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), which consists of a cluster of metabolic disorders that include central obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. A nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents revealed that the rate of MetS decreased from 1998 to 2012 (5.4% of boys and 3.1% of girls had MetS in 2012, which was down from 6.7% of boys and 8.4% of girls in 1998) (Table 2, Fig. 2); previous studies have indicated that obesity is associated with an increased risk of MetS in children [1213141516]. The rate of MetS increased directly with the grade of obesity [17]. In Korea, overweight adolescents aged 12 to 13 years were also found to have a higher prevalence of MetS compared with their normal-weight peers [18]. Kim et al. [19] have reported that overweight children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years in Korea had elevated blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, and an increasing number of MetS components compared with normal-weight children and adolescents.
Obesity is the most important risk factor of the development of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents [20]. A previous study has indicated that an increase in the frequency of obesity induced an increase in type 2 diabetes in youth [21]. The increased amount of adipose tissue in obese individuals produces esterified fatty acids, glycerol, hormones, proinflammatory cytokines, and other factors that contribute to insulin resistance, an important factor in the development of type 2 diabetes [2022]. According to the Diabetes Fact Sheet of the Korean Diabetes Association, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among children 18 years of age or younger was 153.5 per 100,000 in 2006 and 205.0 per 100,000 in 2013, representing a relative increase of 33.6%. Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes might be overestimated, it is apparent that the rate of this condition in children and adolescents is dramatically increasing in Korea. However, the prevalence rates of type 1 diabetes in children 18 years of age or younger in 2006 and 2013 were nearly identical: 47.7 per 100,000 and 48.1 per 100,000, respectively (Fig. 3) [23].
Obesity is a complex disease that is influenced by many interacting genetic and non-genetic factors [24]. Adipocytokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, are a marker of obesity. In Korean children and adolescents, the visfatin level was correlated with the amount of visceral fat, while the resistin level has also been associated with obesity indicators [2526]. In Korean children nine years of age, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein was found to be related to obesity and abdominal obesity [27]. Previous studies have indicated an inverse relationship between adiponectin concentration and obesity in Korean children and adolescents [28293031].
Recently, obesity has been associated with increased microbial translocation [32]. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, the endogenous reactive biomarker produced in response to microbial translocation, was correlated with the risk of an elevated body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents aged 12 to 13 years [33]. The role of bacteria and viruses has been suggested to be a risk factor of development of obesity. In Korea, the prevalence of adenovirus 36 infection was higher in obese children than in their peers of normal weight [34].
Birth weight has also been associated with risk of later obesity in children and adults. In Korea, among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, low birth weight increased the risk of insulin resistance [35]. Another study has indicated that, although insulin resistance was unrelated to birth weight, currently being overweight was associated with insulin resistance [36]. Kim et al. [37] have reported that birth weight didn't influence adiponectin levels in adolescence.
Generally, lifestyle factors, such as inadequate intakes of vegetables, fruit and milk; eating too many high-calorie, low-nutrient foods; skipping breakfast; low levels of physical activity; daily TV viewing; and insufficient sleep, are well-recognized risk factors of weight gain and obesity [38]. In Korea, the traditional lifestyle has given way to a highly modernized lifestyle involving less physical exertion and more unhealthy eating habits. This change has contributed to the increase in obesity among children and adolescents [39]. In addition, fat and carbohydrate intake levels decreased among the adolescent population from 1998 to 2005. In addition, those with a Western dietary pattern of flour and bread, pizza and hamburgers, meat and meat products, dairy products, and soft drinks were found to face a higher risk of being overweight and having elevated serum triglycerides compared with those with a more traditional dietary pattern, including higher consumption of white rice, kimchi, vegetables, and fish [40]. Previous studies among children and adolescents have suggested an overall positive association of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption with obesity [41]. However, sugar intake from milk and fruits was inversely related to overweight and obesity in girls [42]. Sugar intake from different food sources might play an important role in the risk of obesity in children and adolescents [43].
In children aged 7 to 18 years, high sodium was associated with increased risk of obesity and abdominal obesity independent of calorie intake [44]. A randomized controlled trial study has suggested that physical activity enhanced insulin sensitivity in overweight adolescents [45]. Physical fitness, which is the ability to carry out daily tasks without fatigue, was also found to be lower in overweight/obese children than in the normal-weight group [46].
A previous study has reported an inverse relationship between sleep duration and BMI in children. Shorter sleep duration in children was identified in those with a higher BMI, which was calculated using Korean age- and sex-specific pediatric values for height and weight [47]. A shared familial environment is also an important risk factor. Park et al. [48] reported that maternal anthropometry and dietary behavior had a greater effect on the obesity of children than their paternal contributions. Lee et al. [49] demonstrated that children living with overweight parents or grandparents showed an association with a greater risk of childhood overweight and obesity.
Recently, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through the ingestion of contaminated food or water and the inhalation of polluted air or from dermal exposure has received attention as a key contributor to obesity. EDCs lead to obesity by changing the function of thyroid and steroid hormones and activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, which play a major role in adipocyte differentiation and energy storage [50]. A previous study has suggested that bisphenol A, which is used to manufacture polycarbonate resin and is a breakdown product of coatings, was related to obesity in United States children and adolescents [51]. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which are lipophilic compounds that travel with lipids and accumulate mainly in the adipose tissue, are associated with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes [52]. In Korean children, POPs level has been shown to negatively affect the chance of metabolic components, such as blood pressure and triglyceride level [53]. Phthalate exposure has also increased after widespread use of plastic products and due to their use as vehicles for fragrance. Several studies have additionally reported an association between phthalates and the risk of obesity development in children [54]. In Korea, phthalate presence in urine and serum are associated with childhood obesity. Diethylhexyl phthalate exposure in particular was positively related to increase BMI during the first 3 months after birth [55]. The level of dehydroepiandrosterone, an endogenous steroid, has demonstrated a significant difference between obese and control groups [56].
Obesity in youth can adversely impact almost every organ system and commonly leads to serious consequences, such as metabolic, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and psychosocial complications [57].
Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of metabolic complications in youth. In Korea, the prevalence of MetS was higher in overweight adolescents than in normal-weight adolescents [18]. The risk of dyslipidemia was also increased in obese children and adolescents compared to the normal-weight counterparts [19]. Lee et al. [58] have indicated that the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, which reflects lipid disturbance, was higher in a patient with abdominal obesity; their findings were confirmed and have been associated with increased rates of MetS. Choi et al. [59] have suggested that low density lipoprotein particle size negatively correlates with BMI. Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, which is the product of the lipolytic degradation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins produced by the liver and intestine, was previously shown to be higher in obese children and adolescents [6061]. In addition, obese children and adolescents had higher blood pressure readings than their peers of a normal weight [62].
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by the accumulation of macrovascular fat in hepatocytes, can also affect children. Although the mechanism of action in pediatric NAFLD remains unclear, obesity and hyperinsulinemia along with insulin resistance play an important role [63]. In Korea, Kim et al. [64] have reported that the prevalence of NAFLD was higher in overweight than in normal-weight children. Ko et al. [65] have indicated that children with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis have a higher BMI than those with simple steatosis. Furthermore, in obese Korean children ranging in age from 9 to 12 years, insulin resistance was associated with the risk of NAFLD [66].
Pulmonary disorders are also related to obesity in children. Lung function was measured using the forced expiratory volume during one second to calculate the forced vital capacity ratio in obese children and was found to be significantly lower than in normal-weight children [67]. Hong et al. [68] have reported that high BMI is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in boys. In addition, several studies have indicated an association of obesity with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents [6970].
Obesity in children and adolescents is also associated with psychosocial problems. Obese Korean children are often troubled with body dissatisfaction, which can lead to lower self-esteem and depression [71]. The psychological stress and depression caused by obesity are also associated with a poor health-related quality of life [72]. Furthermore, body dissatisfaction contributes to suicidal ideation in adolescents based upon a large and nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents [73].
Obesity in children and adolescents is a major public health issue worldwide and is conditioned by socioeconomic environment as well as individual behavior. Therefore, coordinated efforts by governments, organizations, communities, and individuals are needed to prevent and treat child obesity. In particular, a long-term policy to improve social environment is necessary. In addition, surveillance of childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases is required to effectively confront the childhood obesity epidemic.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), which was funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (Grant number HI13C0715).

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

  • 1. Lim SS, Vos T, Flaxman AD, Danaei G, Shibuya K, Adair-Rohani H, et al. A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 2012;380:2224–2260. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 2. Finucane MM, Stevens GA, Cowan MJ, Danaei G, Lin JK, Paciorek CJ, et al. National, regional, and global trends in body-mass index since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 960 country-years and 9·1 million participants. Lancet 2011;377:557–567. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 3. Lobstein T, Jackson-Leach R, Moodie ML, Hall KD, Gortmaker SL, Swinburn BA, et al. Child and adolescent obesity: part of a bigger picture. Lancet 2015;385:2510–2520. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 4. World Health Organization. Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases: report of a joint WHO/FAO expert consultation; Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003.
  • 5. Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescent in Korea [Internet]; Cheongju: KCDC; c2012. cited 2016 Oct 6. Available from: http://cdc.go.kr/.
  • 6. Park YS, Lee DH, Choi JM, Kang YJ, Kim CH. Trend of obesity in school age children in Seoul over the past 23 years. Korean J Pediatr 2004;47:247–257.
  • 7. Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO). Obesity day event: how is my physical strength? [Internet]; Seoul: KSSO; 2011. cited 2016 Oct 6. Available from: http://www.mohw.go.kr/front_new/al/sal0301vw.jsp?PAR_MENU_ID=04&MENU_ID=0403&BOARD_ID=140&BOARD_FLAG=00&CONT_SEQ=259533&page=1.
  • 8. McLaren L. Socioeconomic status and obesity. Epidemiol Rev 2007;29:29–48. ArticlePubMed
  • 9. Shrewsbury V, Wardle J. Socioeconomic status and adiposity in childhood: a systematic review of cross-sectional studies 1990-2005. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2008;16:275–284. ArticlePubMed
  • 10. Kang HT, Ju YS, Park KH, Kwon YJ, Im HJ, Paek DM, et al. Study on the relationship between childhood obesity and various determinants, including socioeconomic factors, in an urban area. J Prev Med Public Health 2006;39:371–378. PubMed
  • 11. Oh SY, Hong MJ. Food insecurity is associated with dietary intake and body size of Korean children from low-income families in urban areas. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003;57:1598–1604. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 12. Chung JY, Kang HT, Shin YH, Lee HR, Park BJ, Lee YJ. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents: the recent trends in South Korea. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2013;26:105–110. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 13. Lee DY, Kwon AR, Ahn JM, Kim YJ, Chae HW, Kim DH, et al. Relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and risks of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2010. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2015;20:46–52. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 14. Lee HA, Park H. Overview of noncommunicable diseases in Korean children and adolescents: focus on obesity and its effect on metabolic syndrome. J Prev Med Public Health 2013;46:173–182. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 15. Chen F, Wang Y, Shan X, Cheng H, Hou D, Zhao X, et al. Association between childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome: evidence from a large sample of Chinese children and adolescents. PLoS One 2012;7:e47380ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 16. Sung RY, Tong PC, Yu CW, Lau PW, Mok GT, Yam MC, et al. High prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in overweight/obese preadolescent Hong Kong Chinese children aged 9-12 years. Diabetes Care 2003;26:250–251. ArticlePubMed
  • 17. Weiss R, Dziura J, Burgert TS, Tamborlane WV, Taksali SE, Yeckel CW, et al. Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med 2004;350:2362–2374. ArticlePubMed
  • 18. Ryu SY, Kweon SS, Park HC, Shin JH, Rhee JA. Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents. J Korean Med Sci 2007;22:513–517. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 19. Kim HM, Park J, Kim HS, Kim DH, Park SH. Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in Korean children and adolescents aged 10-18 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1998 and 2001. Am J Epidemiol 2006;164:787–793. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 20. Hannon TS, Rao G, Arslanian SA. Childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pediatrics 2005;116:473–480. ArticlePubMed
  • 21. Pinhas-Hamiel O, Zeitler P. “Who is the wise man? The one who foresees consequences”. Childhood obesity, new associated comorbidity and prevention. Prev Med 2000;31:702–705. ArticlePubMed
  • 22. Kahn SE, Hull RL, Utzschneider KM. Mechanisms linking obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Nature 2006;444:840–846. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 23. Korean Diabetes Association. Korean Diabetes Fact Sheet 2015 [Internet]; Seoul: Korean Diabetes Association; c2011. cited 2016 Oct 6. Available from: http://www.diabetes.or.kr/.
  • 24. Han JC, Lawlor DA, Kimm SY. Childhood obesity. Lancet 2010;375:1737–1748. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 25. Kim HJ, Park SY, Choi YJ, Han SJ, Lee KW, Kim DJ. Differential significance of plasma visfatin concentrations according to adiposity in children and adolescents. Horm Res Paediatr 2013;79:208–213. ArticlePubMed
  • 26. Kim YK, Ahn SM, Jo YE, Choi YJ, Song KE, Jung SH, et al. Serum resistin levels are associated with obesity but not with insulin resistance in children and adolescents. Korean J Obes 2005;14:141–148.
  • 27. Yun KE, Kim SM, Choi KM, Park HS. Association between adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein levels and childhood obesity in Korean children. Metabolism 2009;58:798–802. ArticlePubMed
  • 28. Kim HA, Lee HS, Kim CS, Ahn CW, Chung YS, Lee KW, et al. Relationship with serum adiponectin concentrations and obesity in Korean Children. J Korean Soc Endocrinol 2003;18:473–480.
  • 29. Kim CS, Park JS, Kim DJ, Lee KW, Cho MH, Park JA, et al. The relation of weight change during growth to insulin resistance and serum adiponectin concentrations. J Korean Soc Study Obes 2003;12:252–263.
  • 30. Shin JY, Kim SY, Jeung MJ, Eun SH, Woo CW, Yoon SY, et al. Serum adiponectin, C-reactive protein and TNF-alpha levels in obese Korean children. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2008;21:23–29. PubMed
  • 31. Kim ES, Im JA, Kim KC, Park JH, Suh SH, Kang ES, et al. Improved insulin sensitivity and adiponectin level after exercise training in obese Korean youth. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007;15:3023–3030. ArticlePubMed
  • 32. Gonzalez-Quintela A, Alonso M, Campos J, Vizcaino L, Loidi L, Gude F. Determinants of serum concentrations of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in the adult population: the role of obesity. PLoS One 2013;8:e54600ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 33. Kim KE, Cho YS, Baek KS, Li L, Baek KH, Kim JH, et al. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein plasma levels as a biomarker of obesity-related insulin resistance in adolescents. Korean J Pediatr 2016;59:231–238. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 34. Atkinson RL, Lee I, Shin HJ, He J. Human adenovirus-36 antibody status is associated with obesity in children. Int J Pediatr Obes 2010;5:157–160. ArticlePubMed
  • 35. Kim CS, Park JS, Park J, Nam JS, Kang ES, Ahn CW, et al. The relation between birth weight and insulin resistance in Korean adolescents. Yonsei Med J 2006;47:85–92. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 36. Kim CS, Kim DM, Kim DJ, Ahn CW, Cha BS, Lee KW, et al. Relation of birth weight, current weight, weight change to insulin resistance in adolescence in Korea. J Korean Soc Study Obes 2003;12:183–192.
  • 37. Kim CS, Park JS, Park J, Nam JS, Kang ES, Ahn CW, et al. Does birthweight predict adolescent adiponectin levels? Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2006;64:162–168. ArticlePubMed
  • 38. Lee HA, Park H. Overview of noncommunicable diseases in Korean children and adolescents: focus on obesity and its effect on metabolic syndrome. J Prev Med Public Health 2013;46:173–182. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 39. Rho JH, Lee DW, Choi JM. Prevalence of childhood obesity in Korea. J Korean Pediatr Soc 2001;44(Suppl):208.
  • 40. Song Y, Park MJ, Paik HY, Joung H. Secular trends in dietary patterns and obesity-related risk factors in Korean adolescents aged 10-19 years. Int J Obes (Lond) 2010;34:48–56. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 41. Te Morenga L, Mallard S, Mann J. Dietary sugars and body weight: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and cohort studies. BMJ 2012;346:e7492ArticlePubMed
  • 42. Ha K, Chung S, Lee HS, Kim CI, Joung H, Paik HY, et al. Association of dietary sugars and sugar-sweetened beverage intake with obesity in Korean children and adolescents. Nutrients 2016;8:E31Article
  • 43. Hur YI, Park H, Kang JH, Lee HA, Song HJ, Lee HJ, et al. Associations between sugar intake from different food sources and adiposity or cardio-metabolic risk in childhood and adolescence: the Korean child-adolescent cohort study. Nutrients 2015;8:E20Article
  • 44. Yoon YS, Oh SW. Sodium density and obesity; the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010. Eur J Clin Nutr 2013;67:141–146. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 45. Suh S, Jeong IK, Kim MY, Kim YS, Shin S, Kim SS, et al. Effects of resistance training and aerobic exercise on insulin sensitivity in overweight Korean adolescents: a controlled randomized trial. Diabetes Metab J 2011;35:418–426. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 46. Kim HJ, Lee KJ, Jeon YJ, Ahn MB, Jung IA, Kim SH, et al. Relationships of physical fitness and obesity with metabolic risk factors in children and adolescents: Chungju city cohort study. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2016;21:31–38. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 47. Park S. The association between short sleep duration and body mass index among South Korean children and adolescents. J Sch Nurs 2013;29:142–150. ArticlePubMed
  • 48. Park HS, Yim KS, Cho SI. Gender differences in familial aggregation of obesity-related phenotypes and dietary intake patterns in Korean families. Ann Epidemiol 2004;14:486–491. ArticlePubMed
  • 49. Lee HS, Duffey KJ, Kim CI, Popkin BM. The relationship between family and child weight status by household structure in South Korea: 2007-2010. Nutr Diabetes 2013;3:e73ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 50. Tang-Peronard JL, Andersen HR, Jensen TK, Heitmann BL. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and obesity development in humans: a review. Obes Rev 2011;12:622–636. ArticlePubMed
  • 51. Trasande L, Attina TM, Blustein J. Association between urinary bisphenol A concentration and obesity prevalence in children and adolescents. JAMA 2012;308:1113–1121. ArticlePubMed
  • 52. Lee DH, Porta M, Jacobs DR Jr, Vandenberg LN. Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Endocr Rev 2014;35:557–601. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 53. Lee HA, Park SH, Hong YS, Ha EH, Park H. The effect of exposure to persistent organic pollutants on metabolic health among Korean children during a 1-year follow-up. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13:E270Article
  • 54. Kim SH, Park MJ. Phthalate exposure and childhood obesity. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2014;19:69–75. ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 55. Kim JH, Park H, Lee J, Cho G, Choi S, Choi G, et al. Association of diethylhexyl phthalate with obesity-related markers and body mass change from birth to 3 months of age. J Epidemiol Community Health 2016;70:466–472. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 56. Choi J, Eom J, Kim J, Lee S, Kim Y. Association between some endocrine-disrupting chemicals and childhood obesity in biological samples of young girls: a cross-sectional study. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2014;38:51–57. ArticlePubMed
  • 57. Daniels SR. Complications of obesity in children and adolescents. Int J Obes (Lond) 2009;33(Suppl 1):S60–S65.ArticlePMCPDF
  • 58. Lee YH, Choi SH, Lee KW, Kim DJ. Apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio is associated with free androgen index and visceral adiposity and may be an indicator of metabolic syndrome in male children and adolescents. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2011;74:579–586. ArticlePubMed
  • 59. Choi YJ, Choi SH, Kim HJ, Han SJ, Hwang JS, Chung YS, et al. A higher burden of small low-density lipoprotein particles is associated with profound changes in the free androgen index in male adolescents. J Korean Med Sci 2011;26:534–539. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 60. Choi YJ, Jo YE, Kim YK, Ahn SM, Baik SH, Jung SH, et al. Relationship between childhood and adolescent obesity and remnant lipoprotein. J Korean Soc Endocrinol 2006;21:311–318.Article
  • 61. Choi YJ, Jo YE, Kim YK, Ahn SM, Jung SH, Kim HJ, et al. High plasma concentration of remnant lipoprotein cholesterol in obese children and adolescents. Diabetes Care 2006;29:2305–2310. ArticlePubMed
  • 62. Lim H, Xue H, Wang Y. Association between obesity and metabolic co-morbidities among children and adolescents in South Korea based on national data. BMC Public Health 2014;14:279ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 63. Roberts EA. Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a “growing” problem? J Hepatol 2007;46:1133–1142. ArticlePubMed
  • 64. Kim IK, Kim J, Kang JH, Song J. Serum leptin as a predictor of fatty liver in 7-year-old Korean children. Ann Nutr Metab 2008;53:109–116. ArticlePubMed
  • 65. Ko JS, Yoon JM, Yang HR, Myung JK, Kim H, Kang GH, et al. Clinical and histological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. Dig Dis Sci 2009;54:2225–2230. ArticlePubMedPDF
  • 66. Yoo J, Lee S, Kim K, Yoo S, Sung E, Yim J. Relationship between insulin resistance and serum alanine aminotransferase as a surrogate of NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) in obese Korean children. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2008;81:321–326. ArticlePubMed
  • 67. Jeon YH, Yang HJ, Pyun BY. Lung function in Korean adolescent girls: in association with obesity and the menstrual cycle. J Korean Med Sci 2009;24:20–25. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 68. Hong SJ, Lee MS, Lee SY, Ahn KM, Oh JW, Kim KE, et al. High body mass index and dietary pattern are associated with childhood asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol 2006;41:1118–1124. ArticlePubMed
  • 69. Yoo S, Kim HB, Lee SY, Kim BS, Kim JH, Yu JH, et al. Association between obesity and the prevalence of allergic diseases, atopy, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Korean adolescents. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2011;154:42–48. ArticlePubMed
  • 70. Koo H, Lee SM, Lee SP, Han E. Association of body mass index with asthma, allergy rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis among adolescents in Incheon, South Korea. Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2014;2:243–250.Article
  • 71. Shin NY, Shin MS. Body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and depression in obese Korean children. J Pediatr 2008;152:502–506. ArticlePubMed
  • 72. Kim HS, Park J, Ma Y, Ham OK. Factors influencing health-related quality of life of overweight and obese children in South Korea. J Sch Nurs 2013;29:361–369. ArticlePubMed
  • 73. Kim DS. Body image dissatisfaction as an important contributor to suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents: gender difference and mediation of parent and peer relationships. J Psychosom Res 2009;66:297–303. ArticlePubMed
Fig. 1

The prevalence of obesity among Korean children and adolescents during 1979 to 2013.

enm-31-510-g001.jpg
Fig. 2

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean children and adolescents during 1998 to 2012.

enm-31-510-g002.jpg
Fig. 3

The prevalence of Korean children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus during 2006 to 2013.

enm-31-510-g003.jpg
Table 1

Prevalence of Obesity among Korean Children and Adolescents during 1979 to 2013

enm-31-510-i001.jpg
Survey year Sample Age distribution, yr Definition of obesity Prevalence of obesity, %
Total Boy Girl
1979 Seoul 6–17 Those exceeding 120% of ideal body weight 1.7 2.6
1981 Seoul 6–17 1.4 2.5
1988 Seoul 6–17 6.2 6.4
1997 Seoul 6–17 11.0 9.3
1998 Nationwide 10–18 Those exceeding 120% of ideal body weight 6.8 7.2 6.4
2001 Nationwide 6–18 BMI ≥95th percentile and/or BMI ≥25 kg/m2 9.1 10.3 7.6
2005 Nationwide 6–18 10.1 11.1 8.9
2007 Nationwide 6–18 11.9 14.5 8.8
2008 Nationwide 6–18 11.2 14.8 7.2
2009 Nationwide 6–18 9.6 11.5 7.6
2010 Nationwide 6–18 11.1 12.9 9.0
2011 Nationwide 6–18 11.2 12.7 9.6
2012 Nationwide 6–18 11.4 12.7 9.8
2013 Nationwide 6–18 10.0 12.2 7.7

BMI, body mass index.

Table 2

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Children and Adolescents during 1998 to 2012

enm-31-510-i002.jpg
Survey year Sample Age distribution, yr Definition of MetS Prevalence of MetS, %
Boy Girl
1998 Nationwide 10–18 Having three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL 6.7 8.4
2001 12.9 6.4
2005 13.4 8.1
2008 6.9 6.5
2008–2010 Nationwide 10–18 Having three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL 6.0 4.2
2010–2012 Nationwide 12–19 Three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height and/or using antihypertensive medication; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL and/or using hypoglycemic agents; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL and/or using the dyslipidemia medication; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL 5.4 3.1

MetS, metabolic syndrome; BP, blood pressure; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Figure & Data

References

    Citations

    Citations to this article as recorded by  
    • Factorial validation of the children’s eating behavior questionnaire and the association between the eating behaviors assessed and BMI Z score in Chinese preschoolers aged 2–5 years
      Jinsong Mou, Haishan Zhou, Shiya Huang, Zhangui Feng
      Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Sulfur Metabolism of the Gut Microbiome and Colorectal Cancer: The Threat to the Younger Generation
      Ji-Yeon Moon, Bong-Hyeon Kye, Seung-Hyun Ko, Ri Na Yoo
      Nutrients.2023; 15(8): 1966.     CrossRef
    • Association between Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Different Age Groups of Adolescents: An Analysis of Data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey
      Joowon Lee, Seul Gi Cha, Jue Seong Lee, Susan Taejung Kim, Young Hwan Song
      Children.2023; 10(5): 827.     CrossRef
    • The economic burden of adolescent internet addiction: A Korean health cost case study
      Robert W. Mead, Edward Nall
      The Social Science Journal.2023; : 1.     CrossRef
    • Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Korean adolescents: the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) 2006 to 2020
      Eunji Kim, Ga Bin Lee, Dong Keon Yon, Hyeon Chang Kim
      Epidemiology and Health.2023; 45: e2023033.     CrossRef
    • Protective Effects of Melatonin in High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis via Decreased Intestinal Lipid Absorption and Hepatic Cholesterol Synthesis
      Hyungjune Ku, Yeonji Kim, Alvin Lyle Kim, Garam Lee, Youngsik Choi, Bukyung Kim
      Endocrinology and Metabolism.2023; 38(5): 557.     CrossRef
    • Time Trends in the Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis in Korean Children According to Age
      Ji Young Lee, Jihyun Kim, Kangmo Ahn
      Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research.2022; 14(1): 123.     CrossRef
    • Additive Effects of Exercise or Nutrition Intervention in a 24-Month Multidisciplinary Treatment with a Booster Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity: The ICAAN Study
      Sarah Woo, Young-Su Ju, Young-Gyun Seo, Yoon-Myung Kim, Hyunjung Lim, Kyung-Hee Park
      Nutrients.2022; 14(2): 387.     CrossRef
    • Effectiveness of obesity interventions among South Korean children and adolescents and importance of the type of intervention component: a meta-analysis
      Siyoung Choe, Jaesin Sa, Jean-Philippe Chaput, Deokjin Kim
      Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2022; 65(2): 98.     CrossRef
    • Effects of a 12-Week Diet versus Diet plus Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program on Acylated and Desacylated Ghrelin, and Ghrelin O-Acyltransferase in Adolescent Girls with Obesity
      Hyun Jun Kim, Young Jin Tak, Sang Yeoup Lee, Jeong Pyo Seo
      International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(3): 1480.     CrossRef
    • Trends and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adolescents, 2007 to 2018 (Diabetes Metab J 2021;45:880-9)
      Dae Jung Kim
      Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2022; 46(2): 349.     CrossRef
    • Adenovirus 36 infection and daycare starting age are associated with adiposity in children and adolescents
      Ana Carolina Lobor Cancelier, Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Swetha Peddibhotla, Richard L. Atkinson, Helena C.G. Silva, Daisson J. Trevisol, Fabiana Schuelter-Trevisol
      Jornal de Pediatria.2021; 97(4): 420.     CrossRef
    • The association of obstructive sleep apnea with dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents: a single-center, cross-sectional study
      Eun Kyeong Kang, Min Jeong Jang, Ki Duk Kim, Young Min Ahn
      Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.2021; 17(8): 1599.     CrossRef
    • Trajectories in glycated hemoglobin and body mass index in children and adolescents with diabetes using the common data model
      Yun Jeong Lee, Sooyoung Yoo, Soyoung Yi, Seok Kim, Chunggak Lee, Jihoon Cho, Soyeon Ahn, Sunkyu Choi, Hee Hwang, Young Ah Lee, Choong Ho Shin, Hyung-Jin Yoon, Kwangsoo Kim, Eunhye Song, Jin Ho Choi, Han Wook Yoo, Young-Hak Kim, Ji Seon Oh, Eun-Ae Kang, Ga
      Scientific Reports.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Comparison of eating habits and inappropriate weight control efforts of secondary school students enrolled in a weight control program
      EunKyo Kang, Soojeong Kim, Young Ho Yun
      Nutrition Research and Practice.2021; 15(5): 628.     CrossRef
    • Association between childhood obesity and familial salt intake: analysis of data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2014–2017
      Byung Min Yoo, Mijin Kim, Min Jae Kang
      Endocrine Journal.2021; 68(9): 1127.     CrossRef
    • Regional Adolescent Obesity and Overweight Status in Korea from 2018–2019: Comparison between Two Data Sources
      Dong-Hee Ryu, Su-Jin Lee
      Healthcare.2021; 9(12): 1751.     CrossRef
    • Family Factors and Obesity in Relation to Mental Health Among Korean Children and Adolescents
      Hye-Mi Noh, Jane Park, Eun-Ju Sung, Young Soo Ju, Hye-Ja Lee, Yoon-Kyoung Jeong, Kyung Hee Park
      Journal of Child and Family Studies.2020; 29(5): 1284.     CrossRef
    • Distribution of Tri-Ponderal Mass Index and its Relation to Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents Aged 10 to 20 Years
      Hong Kyu Park, Young Suk Shim
      The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.2020; 105(3): e826.     CrossRef
    • The change in prevalence of suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adolescents from 2001 to 2017
      Seung Ha Park, Yong Eun Park, Jin Lee, Joon Hyuk Choi, Nae Yun Heo, Jongha Park, Tae Oh Kim, Jun Seong Hwang, Eunju Kim, Eun Hye Oh, Hang Jea Jang, Ha Young Park, Hyun Kuk Kim
      Paediatrics and International Child Health.2020; 40(3): 166.     CrossRef
    • Effect of inactivated Bifidobacterium longum intake on obese diabetes model mice (TSOD)
      Mahmoud Ben Othman, Kazuichi Sakamoto
      Food Research International.2020; 129: 108792.     CrossRef
    • Self and parent-proxy rated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in youth with obesity: are parents good surrogates?
      Delicia Shu Qin Ooi, Kah Yin Loke, Cindy Wei Li Ho, Yvonne Yijuan Lim, Veronica Tay, Vijaya Karuppiah, Andrew Anjian Sng, Lester Yousheng Lai, Yung Seng Lee, Konstadina Griva
      Quality of Life Research.2020; 29(8): 2171.     CrossRef
    • Chinese men living in urban areas of Shijiazhuang, Hebei at higher risk of overweight or obesity
      De-Xian Kong, Xiao-feng Su, Jing-wei Zhao, Lian Chen, Ling-bing Meng, Zhen-xi Zhang, Sen Yang, Lei Zhang, Ya-bin Liu
      Journal of International Medical Research.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Association between Parent’s Metabolic Syndrome and 12- to18-Year-Old Offspring’s Overweight: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (K-NHANES) 2009–2016
      Na Yeong Lee, Kyungdo Han, Yoonji Lee, Seulki Kim, Seonhwa Lee, Yujung Choi, Moon bae Ahn, Shin Hee Kim, Won Kyoung Cho, Kyoung Soon Cho, Min Ho Jung, Yong-Gyu Park, Byung-Kyu Suh, Silvia Monticone
      International Journal of Endocrinology.2020; 2020: 1.     CrossRef
    • Incidence and Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus among Korean Children and Adolescents between 2007 and 2017: An Epidemiologic Study Based on a National Database
      Hyun Wook Chae, Gi Hyeon Seo, Kyungchul Song, Han Saem Choi, Junghwan Suh, Ahreum Kwon, Sangmi Ha, Ho-Seong Kim
      Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2020; 44(6): 866.     CrossRef
    • Quick assessment with controlled attenuation parameter for hepatic steatosis in children based on MRI-PDFF as the gold standard
      Jaeseung Shin, Myung-Joon Kim, Hyun Joo Shin, Haesung Yoon, Seung Kim, Hong Koh, Mi-Jung Lee
      BMC Pediatrics.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Changing patterns of multiple sclerosis in Korea: Toward a more baseline MRI lesions and intrathecal humoral immune responses
      Hyun-June Shin, Jae-Won Hyun, Su-Hyun Kim, Min Su Park, Eun Hee Sohn, Seol-Hee Baek, Byung-Jo Kim, Kyomin Choi, Jeeyoung Oh, Joong-Yang Cho, Ohyun Kwon, Woojun Kim, Jee-Eun Kim, Ju-Hong Min, Byoung Joon Kim, Sun-Young Oh, Jong Seok Bae, Kee Hong Park, Jun
      Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.2019; 35: 209.     CrossRef
    • Serum osteocalcin levels in overweight children
      Seok Bin Oh, Won Young Lee, Hyo-Kyoung Nam, Young-Jun Rhie, Kee-Hyoung Lee
      Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism.2019; 24(2): 104.     CrossRef
    • Associations between lipid profiles of adolescents and their mothers based on a nationwide health and nutrition survey in South Korea
      Ji Hyung Nam, Jaeyong Shin, Sung-In Jang, Ji Hyun Kim, Kyu-Tae Han, Jun Kyu Lee, Yun Jeong Lim, Eun-Cheol Park
      BMJ Open.2019; 9(3): e024731.     CrossRef
    • Association of Weight Control Behaviors with Body Mass Index in Korean Adolescents: A Quantile Regression Approach
      Sun-Mi Chae, Mi Ja Kim, Chang Gi Park, Ji-Young Yeo, Ji-Hye Hwang, Insook Kwon, Soo-Yeon Han
      Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2018; 40: e18.     CrossRef
    • Associations between birth weight, obesity, fat mass and lean mass in Korean adolescents: the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
      Myunggee Kang, Jung Eun Yoo, Kyuwoong Kim, Seulggie Choi, Sang Min Park
      BMJ Open.2018; 8(2): e018039.     CrossRef
    • Thyroid function in obese Korean children and adolescents: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015
      Young Min An, Soon Jeong Moon, Soon Ki Kim, Young Ju Suh, Ji Eun Lee
      Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism.2018; 23(3): 141.     CrossRef
    • Validation of Dietary Reference Intakes for predicting energy requirements in elementary school-age children
      Eun-Kyung Kim, Didace Ndahimana, Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata, Sangjik Lee, Hyungryul Kim, Kiwon Lim, In-Sook Lee, Shigeho Tanaka, Ye-Jin Kim, Yeon-Jung Choi, Mun-Jeong Ju, Jonghoon Park
      Nutrition Research and Practice.2018; 12(4): 336.     CrossRef
    • Family-based treatment for obesity in tweens: a three-year longitudinal follow-up study
      Hongsik J. Cheon, Jay R. Fraser, Trang Kieu Nguyen
      International Journal of Advertising.2018; 37(4): 548.     CrossRef
    • Anti-obesity effects of Clausena excavata in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
      Young-Rak Cho, Jung A. Lee, Yoon Yeon Kim, Jae-Shin Kang, Jae-Ho Lee, Eun-Kyung Ahn
      Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.2018; 99: 253.     CrossRef
    • Hypertension Risk of Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in High School Students
      Yu jin Kwak, Ji Hyen Lee, Young Mi Hong, Hae Soon Kim
      The Ewha Medical Journal.2018; 41(1): 13.     CrossRef
    • Articles inEndocrinology and Metabolismin 2016
      Won-Young Lee
      Endocrinology and Metabolism.2017; 32(1): 62.     CrossRef
    • Management of childhood obesity
      Shin-Hye Kim, Mi-Jung Park
      Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2017; 60(3): 233.     CrossRef
    • Prevalences and Management of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes among Korean Teenagers and Young Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2014
      Eun-Hee Cho, Dayeon Shin, Keun-Hyok Cho, Junguk Hur
      Journal of Korean Medical Science.2017; 32(12): 1984.     CrossRef
    • Prevalence and risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus with Prader–Willi syndrome: a single center experience
      Aram Yang, Jinsup Kim, Sung Yoon Cho, Dong-Kyu Jin
      Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases.2017;[Epub]     CrossRef

    • PubReader PubReader
    • Cite
      CITE
      export Copy
      Close
    • XML DownloadXML Download
    Figure
    • 0
    • 1
    • 2
    Related articles
    Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity in Korea
    Image Image Image
    Fig. 1 The prevalence of obesity among Korean children and adolescents during 1979 to 2013.
    Fig. 2 The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean children and adolescents during 1998 to 2012.
    Fig. 3 The prevalence of Korean children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus during 2006 to 2013.

    Fig. 1

    Fig. 2

    Fig. 3

    Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity in Korea
    Survey yearSampleAge distribution, yrDefinition of obesityPrevalence of obesity, %
    TotalBoyGirl
    1979Seoul6–17Those exceeding 120% of ideal body weight1.72.6
    1981Seoul6–171.42.5
    1988Seoul6–176.26.4
    1997Seoul6–1711.09.3
    1998Nationwide10–18Those exceeding 120% of ideal body weight6.87.26.4
    2001Nationwide6–18BMI ≥95th percentile and/or BMI ≥25 kg/m29.110.37.6
    2005Nationwide6–1810.111.18.9
    2007Nationwide6–1811.914.58.8
    2008Nationwide6–1811.214.87.2
    2009Nationwide6–189.611.57.6
    2010Nationwide6–1811.112.99.0
    2011Nationwide6–1811.212.79.6
    2012Nationwide6–1811.412.79.8
    2013Nationwide6–1810.012.27.7
    Survey yearSampleAge distribution, yrDefinition of MetSPrevalence of MetS, %
    BoyGirl
    1998Nationwide10–18Having three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL6.78.4
    200112.96.4
    200513.48.1
    20086.96.5
    2008–2010Nationwide10–18Having three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL6.04.2
    2010–2012Nationwide12–19Three or more of the following criteria: waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex; systolic or diastolic BP ≥ 90th percentile for age, sex, and height and/or using antihypertensive medication; fasting glucose level ≥100 mg/dL and/or using hypoglycemic agents; triglyceride level ≥110 mg/dL and/or using the dyslipidemia medication; HDL-C level ≤40 mg/dL5.43.1
    Table 1 Prevalence of Obesity among Korean Children and Adolescents during 1979 to 2013

    BMI, body mass index.

    Table 2 Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Children and Adolescents during 1998 to 2012

    MetS, metabolic syndrome; BP, blood pressure; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

    Table 1

    Table 2

    Endocrinol Metab : Endocrinology and Metabolism
    © Korean Endocrine Society.
    TOP