46% of Korean Women in Their 20s Dieting Despite Being Underweight

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One in every six to seven women in their 20s is underweight, and nearly half of those with normal or underweight are trying to lose weight.

While the prevalence of obesity is increasing among men, the proportion trying to lose weight is decreasing, creating a stark contrast.

According to the paper ‘Weight Loss Attempt Rate and Related Factors by Body Mass Index Classification in Korean Adults’ released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 8th, an analysis of the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2013 to 2021 showed that 15.1% of women aged 19 to 29 in 2021 had a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 indicating they were underweight.

This means that one in every six to seven women in this age group is below the normal weight. The proportion of underweight individuals based on the 2019-2021 data was 14.8%, a 2.4 percentage point increase from the 12.4% in 2016-2018.

Despite being underweight, 16.2% tried to lose weight, and even those with a normal BMI (18.5~23, accounting for 55.8% of the total) attempted dieting to lose weight with 53.9% trying. Combined, nearly half (46.0%) of those who were underweight or at a normal weight tried to lose weight.

The paper pointed out that “The social and cultural atmosphere that promotes preference for a thin body type and indiscriminate weight control leads to a high proportion of young women overestimating their body shape,” and “Repeated dieting by those who are underweight or at a normal weight can harm cardiovascular health and increase the risk of malnutrition, anemia, and osteoporosis. Being underweight before pregnancy can also lead to recurrent miscarriages and other negative pregnancy outcomes.”

Based on all age groups, the weight loss attempt rate among obese individuals (BMI 25 or higher) was 54.6% for men and 62.9% for women from 2019 to 2021. Despite 84.6% of men and 94.7% of women recognizing themselves as obese, fewer people attempted to diet.

Particularly, the prevalence of obesity in men in their 30s and 40s increased significantly from 44.9% and 42.2% in 2013-2015 to 52.0% and 51.1% respectively, but the weight loss attempt rate among obese individuals slightly decreased from 57.5% to 56.9% in their 30s and noticeably dropped from 61.9% to 54.7% in their 40s.

The weight loss attempt rate was higher among both men and women who were younger, unmarried, had higher education levels, recognized themselves as obese, and practiced aerobic physical activity.

Men were more likely to attempt weight loss if they were non-smokers, while women were more likely to do so if they recognized stress from obesity did not have chronic diseases, and were high-risk drinkers.

The paper stated, “Despite an increase in the prevalence of obesity among men, fewer obese men attempted to lose weight. Conversely, many young women who were underweight tried to lose weight,” and advised, “Education on healthy body image perception should be provided, and a social atmosphere should be formed through mass media to avoid unnecessary dieting among women of childbearing age.”