Epidemiology and characteristics of obesity in Koreans based on the 2024 Obesity Fact Sheet

Purpose: Obesity represents a major public health concern in Korea, for risks of metabolic, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases. This review summarizes the 2024 Obesity Fact Sheet to provide updated epidemiological insights and clinical implications.Current concepts: According to the 2024 Fact Sheet, the prevalence of obesity among Korean adults reached 38.4% in 2022 (men 49.6%, women 27.7%), with abdominal obesity at 24.5%. Severe obesity has increased markedly over the past decade, with class II and class III obesity rising 1.6-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. Mortality analysis revealed a U-shaped association between body mass index and both cancer- and cardiovascular-related deaths, with heightened risks in underweight and class III obesity groups. Obesity significantly elevated the incidence of major cancers, including thyroid, colorectal, liver, kidney, and breast cancers. Body composition analysis showed mean body fat percentages of 24.8% in men and 32.9% in women. When obesity was defined by body fat (≥25% in men, ≥35% in women), prevalence increased to 46.1% and 37.1%, respectively. Lean mass declined with age, emphasizing the growing burden of sarcopenic obesity. Additionally, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome reached 28.6%, with a particularly sharp increase observed among younger men.Discussion and conclusion: The 2024 Obesity Fact Sheet underscores the escalating burden of obesity in Korea, characterized by continued increases in severe obesity, cancer risk, and sarcopenic obesity. These findings highlight the urgent need to recognize obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive national strategies that integrate prevention, intensive management of severe obesity, and precision interventions based on body composition.