Over Half of Korean Diabetes Patients Are Obese; 30s–40s Show High Abdominal Obesity
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
A Korean Diabetes Association analysis of 2012–2023 health survey data found 52.4% of adults with diabetes are obese (BMI ≥25). Obesity rates are especially high among people in their 30s (81.3%) and 40s (76.7%). Abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥90 cm for men, ≥85 cm for women) was present in 61.1% of diabetes patients, with 70.1% of those in their 30s and 75.8% in their 40s affected. Over the 12-year period, obesity and abdominal obesity rose in men, while abdominal obesity notably increased in women. Obese individuals had a higher diabetes prevalence (17.6%) than non-obese people (9.5%); among obese adults 65+, about one in three (31.6%) had diabetes. The association between obesity and insulin resistance leads the Association to call for early intervention and tailored treatment, especially to prevent complications in younger diabetes patients.
