KDCA Establishes Guidelines for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity
Prevalence Up by 4.9 and 3.6 Percentage Points Over Ten Years
Separate Guidelines Provided for Homes and Schools
"Be sure to eat breakfast, reduce sugary drinks, and move your body for at least one hour every day."
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity announced on March 3 that they have established and distributed the 'Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity' in line with World Obesity Day (March 4). World Obesity Day is designated by the World Obesity Federation to raise awareness about obesity issues and to spread the importance of prevention and treatment throughout society.
According to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the prevalence of obesity among children (ages 6-11) and adolescents (ages 12-18) increased by 4.9 percentage points and 3.6 percentage points, respectively, in 2022-2024 compared to 2013-2015, ten years prior. The KDCA stated, "Lifestyle habits formed during childhood and adolescence tend to become established into adulthood, directly affecting lifelong health. Therefore, childhood and adolescent obesity should not be approached merely as a weight issue but as a disease."
These new prevention and management guidelines are significant as they are the first to be established by the government, recognizing obesity as a chronic disease. The guidelines reflect children's actual eating habits, physical activity, and overall lifestyle to enhance practical implementation in the field. Separate guidelines have also been prepared for guardians such as parents and teachers, emphasizing the roles of families and schools.
The KDCA and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to provide four educational video materials on childhood and adolescent obesity for use in homes and schools. They also plan to promote these materials through the KDCA's website and the National Health Information Portal.
The Korea National Institute of Health will establish a research roadmap for obesity prevention and management in 2025, developing and conducting pilot studies on customized obesity intervention programs for children and adolescents in stages. To address regional health disparities, it will develop standardized intervention protocols tailored to local characteristics and expand evidence-based prevention strategies as models applicable to local communities by linking them to policy.
Lim Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "We will continue our efforts to prevent and manage chronic diseases by producing and distributing guidelines for chronic disease prevention and providing information through the National Health Information Portal."
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