Obesity Rates: Türkiye vs. South Korea — A Stark Contrast in Public Health
Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. Defined by the World Obesity Federation as a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m² in adults, obesity is strongly linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses, and certain cancers. Yet, the prevalence of obesity varies dramatically between countries, shaped by culture, lifestyle, diet, and socioeconomic factors.
Recent figures highlight a striking contrast between Türkiye and South Korea:
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🇹🇷 Türkiye: 34.40% of adults are obese.
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🇰🇷 South Korea: 7.24% of adults are obese.
These figures underscore different trajectories of health and lifestyle choices in these two countries.
Why is Türkiye’s Obesity Rate Higher?
Türkiye’s adult obesity rate, at over a third of its population, is significantly higher than the global average. Several factors contribute:
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Dietary habits: A growing reliance on calorie-dense, processed foods and sugary drinks has changed traditional Mediterranean-inspired diets into less healthy patterns.
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Urbanization and sedentary lifestyle: As more people live in cities and adopt sedentary jobs, physical activity has declined.
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Socioeconomic disparities: Lower-income groups often have limited access to healthy foods and health education.
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Cultural attitudes: In some communities, larger body sizes are not viewed negatively, reducing motivation to maintain a lower BMI.
Why is South Korea’s Obesity Rate So Low?
South Korea’s rate is among the lowest in the world for developed nations.
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Traditional diets: The Korean diet remains rich in vegetables, fermented foods like kimchi, and low in fat and sugar.
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Active lifestyle: Walking and public transportation remain central to daily life, ensuring more physical activity.
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Social norms: South Korean society places a high value on slimness, which reinforces weight-conscious behaviors.
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Public health policies: Government-led education campaigns and accessible healthcare have also played a role in prevention.
What Can Be Done?
The sharp difference between the two countries illustrates that obesity is not inevitable — policy and culture matter. For Türkiye, adopting comprehensive public health strategies is critical:
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Promoting healthier diets through education and food subsidies.
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Encouraging regular exercise through urban planning (parks, walking paths).
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Tackling food industry practices that promote unhealthy consumption.
For South Korea, maintaining its low rates will require continued vigilance as westernized fast-food culture gains ground among younger generations.
A Global Issue
Obesity is a growing global concern, with over 1 billion adults worldwide now classified as obese. Reducing obesity is not just about personal choices but also about creating environments that make healthy choices accessible and affordable for everyone.
As Türkiye and South Korea show, cultural and policy differences can produce very different outcomes — and offer lessons for other nations facing rising obesity rates.
Sources: World Obesity Federation, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (adults).
