Prevalence of pre-obesity and above and its associated factors in adult women: an analysis of the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

TL;DR

This study finds that nearly half of adult women in Korea have pre-obesity or obesity, with risk factors including age, education, income, lack of exercise, and poor sleep.

Contribution

The study identifies specific demographic and lifestyle factors associated with pre-obesity and obesity in Korean women using national survey data.

Findings

46.5% of adult women in Korea have pre-obesity or obesity.

Women aged 50–64, with lower education, middle income, less exercise, or poor sleep are at higher risk.

Prevention efforts should focus on these high-risk groups and promote healthy behaviors.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of pre-obesity (overweight) and above in adult women and to identify associated factors.

Data were obtained from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII-2), conducted in 2020. The sample comprised 2,288 women aged 19–64 years who participated in the KNHANES VIII-2. Data were analyzed using complex sample design analysis with SPSS version 20.1.

The prevalence of pre-obesity and above among adult women was 46.5%, with 18.6% classified as having pre-obesity and 27.9% as having obesity. A higher prevalence of pre-obesity and above was observed in women aged 50–59 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.67, p=.019) or 60–64 years (OR=1.80, p=.029); women whose highest educational attainment was high school (OR=1.28, p=.018) or middle school or less (OR=1.60, p=.017); those in middle-income households (OR=1.55, p=.005); those engaging in muscle-strengthening activities less than 2 days per week (OR=1.37, p=.019); and those sleeping less than 6 hours per night during the week (OR=1.37, p=.025).

As nearly half of all adult women have either pre-obesity or obesity, prevention and management strategies must target both groups. Interventions should be prioritized for women in their 50s and older, as well as those with low education or income levels. Additionally, receiving adequate sleep of 7 hours or more and engaging in muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days per week are important components of obesity management.

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