Gender disparity in the secular trends for obesity prevalence in Korea: analyses based on the KNHANES 1998-2009.
10.3904/kjim.2013.28.1.29
- Author:
Sang Youl RHEE
1
;
Seok Won PARK
;
Dae Jung KIM
;
Jeongtaek WOO
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jtwoomd@khmc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Epidemiology;
Prevalence;
Obesity;
Korea;
Sex characteristics
- MeSH:
Adult;
Age Distribution;
Age Factors;
Aged;
Female;
*Health Status Disparities;
Humans;
Linear Models;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Nutrition Surveys;
Obesity/*epidemiology;
Odds Ratio;
Prevalence;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Sex Distribution;
Sex Factors;
Time Factors;
Young Adult
- From:The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
2013;28(1):29-34
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: A similar gender-associated trend in obesity is observed worldwide. Nevertheless, systematic analyses of gender-specific characteristics in the general Korean population are rare. METHODS: We analyzed the prevalence of obesity in Korean adults aged > or = 19 years based on data collected from the Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys I to IV, and verified the obesity prevalence characteristics by gender. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in Korean males increased during the past 12 years from 25.1% to 35.7%, and the trend for an increase in obesity was significant in all age groups (p < 0.001). In contrast, no significant trend over the past 12 years was identified for females, but the prevalence of obesity in the 30- to 39-year, 40- to 49-year, and 50- to 59-year subgroups decreased significantly (p < 0.05). However, the obesity prevalence in the 60- to 69-year and > 70-year female subgroups increased significantly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a gradually widening gender disparity due to an increase in the prevalence of male obesity and a decrease in the obesity prevalence among young and middle-aged women.
