Trends in the Diabetes Epidemic in Korea.
10.3803/EnM.2015.30.2.142
- Author:
Kyoung Hwa HA
1
;
Dae Jung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. djkim@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Age;
Diabetes mellitus;
Epidemiology;
Korea;
National survey;
Obesity;
Prevalence
- MeSH:
Adult;
Body Mass Index;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Diagnosis;
Epidemiology;
Female;
Humans;
Korea;
Life Style;
Male;
Mass Screening;
Mortality;
Obesity;
Prevalence;
Primary Prevention;
Risk Factors
- From:Endocrinology and Metabolism
2015;30(2):142-146
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of mortality and increased disability-adjusted life years worldwide. In Korea, the prevalence of diabetes increased from 8.6% to 11.0% in 2001 to 2013 and the prevalence of adult obesity, which is the most important risk factor of diabetes, increased from 29.2% to 31.8% during the same period. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of obese Koreans with diabetes in recent decades and the prevalence of diabetes in people aged 40 years and older also increased in 2001 to 2013. Nevertheless, the mean age at the first diagnosis of diabetes was very similar for men in 2005 and 2013, while the mean age for women decreased slightly. There is an inverse linear relationship between body mass index and age at the diagnosis of diabetes among those who are newly diagnosed. Accordingly, the prevalence of diabetes is increasingly shifting to younger individuals and those who are obese. Therefore, public efforts should focus on healthy lifestyle changes, primary prevention measures, screening for the early detection of diabetes, and long-term management.
