Trends and Inequalities in Overall and Abdominal Obesity by Sociodemographic Factors in Korean Adults, 1998–2018

Few studies have comprehensively examined the nationwide trends in overall and abdominal obesity prevalence and related sociodemographic inequalities in Korea. In the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998–2018, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of overall (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm men, ≥85 cm women) in each sociodemographic subgroup of Korean adults (aged 19–79 years). For each survey year, weighted logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between obesity prevalence and sociodemographic factors. During the study period, the prevalence of overall and abdominal obesity increased in men (24.8% to 42.4%; 20.1% to 32.1%; respectively) but only a small change was observed in women (26.5% to 26.0%; 22.7% to 20.9%; respectively). Obesity prevalence increased in all sociodemographic groups of men but varied across groups in women. In women, income (4th vs. 1st quartiles in 2016–2018: OR (95% CI) = 0.66 (0.56–0.78) overall obesity; 0.60 (0.51–0.71) abdominal obesity) and education (college or higher vs. high school or less: 0.62 (0.54–0.72) overall obesity; 0.58 (0.50–0.68) abdominal obesity) were inversely associated with obesity prevalence, and the gaps became more pronounced since 2007. Our data suggest that the inequalities in obesity prevalence by sex and by socioeconomic status have become more apparent over time in Korea.

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Obesity Transition and Inequalities by Sociodemographic Factors in Korean Adults, 1998–2018

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab055_029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1219-1219

Author(s):

Ha-Jin Jang ◽

Hannah Oh

Keyword(s):

Abdominal Obesity ◽

Survey Design ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Socioeconomic Group ◽

Obesity Prevalence ◽

Korean Adults ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Small Change ◽

Socio Demographic Factors

Abstract Objectives To investigate the obesity transition and inequalities by socio-demographic factors in Korea, we examined the nationwide overall and abdominal obesity trends and its association with socio-demographic factors in Korean adults (aged 19–79 years) in 1998–2018. Methods In the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998–2018 (n = 85,262), we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of overall (body mass index [BMI)≥25kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference [WC]≥90 cm) in men and ≥85cm in women) in each sociodemographic subgroup. Weight, height, and WC were measured by medical staff. Logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between obesity prevalence and sociodemographic factors after mutual adjustment for all sociodemographic factors under study. All analyses accounted for a complex survey design. Results During the study period, the prevalence of overall and abdominal obesity increased in men (24.8% to 42.4%; 20.1% to 32.1%; respectively) but only a small change was observed in women (26.5% to 26.0%; 22.7% to 20.9%; respectively). When stratified by sociodemographic groups, obesity prevalence similarly increased in all groups of men but, in women, the trends varied across groups. In women, income (2016–2018: OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.56–0.78 overall obesity; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.51–0.71 abdominal obesity) and education (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.54–0.72 overall obesity; OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.50–0.68 abdominal obesity) were inversely associated with obesity prevalence, and the gaps between the groups became wider and solidified since 2007. Conclusions This is the largest and the most recent study including the entire survey phases of the KNHANES data (I-VII). Our data suggest that the inequalities in obesity prevalence by sex (men higher than women) and by socioeconomic status (women in lower-socioeconomic group higher than women in higher-socioeconomic group) have increased over time. These findings indicate that targeted, customized preventive strategies are needed to prevent further increase in obesity and related disease burdens in Korea. Funding Sources This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (2019R1G1A1004227 and 2019S1A3A2099973).

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Relationships between Walking, Body Mass Index, and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adults: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012)(Korean J Obes 2015;24:108-15)

The Korean Journal of Obesity ◽

10.7570/kjo.2015.24.4.227 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 227-229

Author(s):

Dong-Il Kim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

National Health ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Korean Adults ◽

Health And Nutrition

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Trends in Fermented Food Consumption and Sodium Intake from Fermented Foods for Korean Adults Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (P18-025-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz039.p18-025-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Sangyoung Kim ◽

Jeanne Freeland-Graves ◽

Hyun Ja Kim

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

National Health ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

Fermented Food ◽

Fermented Foods ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Men And Women ◽

Korean Adults ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Over Time

Abstract Objectives To examine the trends in the consumption of fermented foods and sodium intake over time, using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods This research study is a secondary analysis using KNHANES data from 1998 to 2016 which is a cross-sectional survey. The target population was Korean adults, ages ≥19 years and the total number was 76,199, with 32,324 men and 43,875 women. Assessment of fermented food consumption and sodium intake was conducted via analysis of 24-hour dietary recall data. Multivariate linear regressions and logistic regressions were performed to calculate the P for trends by applying strata, cluster, and sampling weights by SAS PROC SURVEY. Age was standardized for all analyses in order to calculate P for trends for education, income, fermented food consumption, and sodium intake. Results A significant decline in fermented food consumption was observed in both men and women (P < 0.0001). Among fermented foods, kimchi consumption was greatly reduced while pickled vegetables consumption showed a marked increase. Similarly, sodium intake from fermented foods significantly declined over time in both men and women (P < 0.0001). Conclusions The consumption of fermented foods and sodium intake from fermented foods by Korean adults significantly decreased over time from 1998 to 2016. Funding Sources N/A.

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