The number of South Koreans diagnosed with 'disease-suspected obesity' (BMI over 30) has surged nearly 20% in four years, indicating a growing public health concern. The population classified as severely obese, with a BMI of 40 or higher, has increased by over 45%, contributing to rising socioeconomic burdens related to obesity-related healthcare costs.
According to an analysis by Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeong-hoon, who is a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, the number of individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher rose from 1,182,708 in 2021 to 1,408,609 in 2025, marking a 19.1% increase (225,901 individuals).
The National Health Insurance Service classifies a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 as normal, 25 to 29.9 as overweight, and 30 or above as 'obesity (suspected disease),' recommending active management and treatment.
Notably, the increase in obesity severity is alarming. The number of individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 grew by 16.5% over four years, while those with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 increased by 31.2%, and those with a BMI of 40 or higher surged by 45.4%.
Among the severely obese individuals (44,317 in 2025), a significant majority (86.7%, or 38,423 individuals) are under 40 years old. The largest group is in their 30s, totaling 17,696, followed by those in their 40s at 11,312, and those under 20 at 9,415. Concerns are growing that the serious obesity issue among younger adults could lead to a future healthcare cost crisis.
As the population with disease-suspected obesity increases, healthcare utilization and costs for related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension are also rising sharply.
In 2025, the number of outpatient visits for diabetes among those with a BMI of 30 or higher increased by 25.5% compared to 2021, while hypertension visits rose by 23.9%, and dyslipidemia visits surged by 35.4%. Corresponding outpatient costs also rose by 36.5%, 34.7%, and 70.1%, respectively.
For sleep apnea, outpatient visits skyrocketed by 137.6% (from 8,894 to 21,130), and hospitalization costs increased by 117.6% (from approximately 4.3 billion won to 9.3 billion won).
The burden of healthcare costs per individual also rises with higher BMI. In 2025, the average hospitalization cost for diabetes patients with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 was about 2.06 million won, while those with a BMI of 40 or higher faced costs of approximately 3.14 million won.
The socioeconomic burden of diseases caused by obesity has increased from 11.955 trillion won in 2017 to 15.6382 trillion won in 2021, reflecting a 30.8% rise that strains national finances.
Despite this situation, discussions on health insurance coverage for obesity treatments remain stagnant. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated during a parliamentary audit that while it can consider coverage if a pharmaceutical company applies for reimbursement, there are currently no established criteria for obesity treatment drugs, making financial projections difficult. The ministry emphasized prioritizing coverage for severe and rare diseases.
In contrast, countries like the UK, Japan, and Canada provide insurance benefits for obesity treatments like Wegovy and Monjaro for patients with a BMI above a certain threshold and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes, while restricting use for purely cosmetic purposes.
Lawmaker So Byeong-hoon emphasized the need to pay close attention to the rising number of individuals diagnosed with obesity in national health screenings, particularly the rapid increase in those with higher BMIs. He argued that obesity treatments should not be viewed merely as 'weight loss drugs' for cosmetic purposes but should be approached as necessary treatments for patients with severe obesity and comorbidities.
He urged the government to analyze the scale and burden of diseases among treatment-necessary groups based on BMI and comorbidities, and to thoroughly review the feasibility of health insurance coverage, reasonable treatment standards, and financial impacts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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