Sharp rise attributed to more seeking medical help
The number of South Koreans suffering from obesity rose ninefold over the past five years, with obesity-related illnesses nearly doubling during the same period, a report showed. According to the report, compiled by lawmaker Chang Bok-sim of the ruling Uri Party, the number of obese people seeking medical treatment jumped to 27,977 at the end of last year, from 3,111 at the end of 2000. Those who suffered ailments connected to obesity such as diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure nearly doubled over the past five years, the report showed. Women seeking medical treatment due to obesity outnumbered men. In 2000, the number of female patients stood at 2,230, while males seeking medical help numbered 881, making the ratio between obese females and males 1 to 2.5. But this ratio surged to 1 to 5.7 last year, when 23,782 females sought medical treatment for obesity.Medical sources attributed the increase in obese patients to rising awareness about obesity as a health risk, which has led more overweight people to seek medical help. Social prejudice against obese women also no doubt played a role in those women professional help. "Obesity has become a social problem, with 32.4 percent of the nation’s population responding that they are obese in a recent poll conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare," said Chang. "We need systematic education about and countermeasures against obesity."
