Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Obesity Becomes Huge Problem in Korea
Ten million Korean adults are overweight, with the number increasing by 400,000 a year -- a result of lack of exercise, change in diet and excessive drinking culture. With the advent of fast food restaurants and changing life styles, the number of overweight children and adolescents is also growing rapidly. Some 10 to 15 percent of people under 20 are overweight.
by Im Ho-jun, Chosun Ilbo (February 13, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200502/200502130020.html

[VanIslander]

The Western technical definition of "obese" is a lot lower than the vernacular use of the word. I have no doubt that what is considered "overweight" in Korea doesn't look at all overweight in Canada or America, nor (I suspect) meet Western medical definitions of "overweight".

That said, there are quite a few chubby Koreans around, and in younger generations than your typically overweight ajumma.

[Real Reality]

Medical experts stress that as the first step for a war against obesity, it is necessary to acknowledge obesity as a disease and stage a national campaign against it. Professor Kim Young-seol at Kyunghee University Hospital said that the Korean government has not acknowledged obesity as a disease and even not had basic data on socio-economic costs incurred by obesity.
by Im Ho-jun, Chosun Ilbo (February 13, 2005)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200502/200502130020.html

[Yaya]

Luckily, the problem in Korea is nowhere near the crisis that it is in the US. Americans are still by far the biggest cows on the planet.

[People's Front of Judea]

Moo.