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More low-income earners in South Korea are suffering from obesity than those with higher incomes, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
A total of 34.7 percent of the poorest 25 percent of the population were obese last year, while 30.1 percent of the wealthiest 25 percent had the condition.
While 0.49 percent of the country’s entire population suffered from severe obesity last year, 1.23 percent of low-income earners and 1.57 percent of low income-earning women had the condition.
Also, 37 percent of those living in rural areas were obese, while only 31.9 percent of urban dwellers were struggling with their weight.
One possible reason behind the statistics is that higher-income earners who live in the city have better access to information on health and diet, as well as fitness programs, the ministry said.
As of last year, 32.4 percent of adults here were diagnosed as obese. The number of overweight Koreans has increased by 1.6 percent in the past decade.
According to the National Health Insurance Service, South Koreans spent 2.7 billion won ($2.65 billion) on obesity-related diseases in 2011. In 2007, however, only 1.9 trillion won was spent on the health condition.
Obesity is known to increase the risk of cervical, liver and kidney cancers and other diseases, according to the Health Ministry.
By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)
A total of 34.7 percent of the poorest 25 percent of the population were obese last year, while 30.1 percent of the wealthiest 25 percent had the condition.
While 0.49 percent of the country’s entire population suffered from severe obesity last year, 1.23 percent of low-income earners and 1.57 percent of low income-earning women had the condition.
Also, 37 percent of those living in rural areas were obese, while only 31.9 percent of urban dwellers were struggling with their weight.
One possible reason behind the statistics is that higher-income earners who live in the city have better access to information on health and diet, as well as fitness programs, the ministry said.
As of last year, 32.4 percent of adults here were diagnosed as obese. The number of overweight Koreans has increased by 1.6 percent in the past decade.
According to the National Health Insurance Service, South Koreans spent 2.7 billion won ($2.65 billion) on obesity-related diseases in 2011. In 2007, however, only 1.9 trillion won was spent on the health condition.
Obesity is known to increase the risk of cervical, liver and kidney cancers and other diseases, according to the Health Ministry.
By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)
