Trends in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and their related lifestyle factors in Korean young adults, 1998–2012

Abstract

This study aimed to assess trends of underweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity and related lifestyle factors in young Korean adults. The analysis focused on adults aged 19-39 years using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) I-V (1998-2012). Underweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) <18.5kg/m2; obesity as BMI≥30kg/m2; and abdominal obesity as waist circumference ≥90cm in men and ≥85cm in women. We evaluated trends by analyzing the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of underweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, and the proportions and ORs of lifestyles. As compared with KNHANES I, the ORs for obesity were higher in III, IV, and V and the ORs for abdominal obesity were higher in IV and V in men, which showed an increasing trend (P for trend<0.001). In women, the prevalence of underweight and obesity showed a significant increasing tendency (P for trend<0.001). Lifestyle analysis revealed the overconsumption of energy intake proportion was increased in men and decreased in women. The lack of physical activity and high-risk alcohol consumption proportions showed increasing trends in both men and women. The current smoking proportion was decreased in men and increased in women. The lack of adequate sleep proportion showed a continuous increasing trend in men. Prevention of obesity in young men and women, and abdominal obesity in young men is needed. Meanwhile, management of underweight in young women is simultaneously required.