Body Fat and Abdominal Obesity
The basics of understanding blood glucose, body fat, and metabolic health
In Korea, obesity is defined as a BMI of 25 or higher, and abdominal obesity as a waist circumference of 90 cm or more for men and 85 cm or more for women (KDCA). In the 2025 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, adult obesity prevalence was 39.5%. According to the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) 2026 Fact Sheet, abdominal obesity was 24.9%.
Body Fat and Abdominal Obesity
Obesity is not simply weighing a lot. It is a state in which too much fat has built up in the body. Fat that builds up around the abdomen, especially around the internal organs, is closely linked to blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism, so it is treated as important in metabolic health.
That is why, for metabolic health, it is important to check your waist circumference as well as your weight (BMI).
Body mass index (BMI) classes — Korean criteria
| BMI (kg/m²) | Class |
|---|---|
| Under 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 22.9 | Normal |
| 23.0 – 24.9 | Pre-obese |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Class 1 obesity |
| 30.0 – 34.9 | Class 2 obesity |
| 35.0 or higher | Class 3 obesity |
BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)². Based on KDCA and KSSO criteria.
Abdominal obesity criteria — Korean criteria
Obesity in Korea in numbers
Check your BMI and waist circumference
- KDCA National Health Information Portal, “Obesity”
- KDCA, announcement of 2025 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey results (30 September 2026)
- Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, 2026 Obesity Fact Sheet (2024 data) — figures as reported in the media