Some people perceive themselves as obese despite being at a healthy normal weight, or attempt extreme dieting even when underweight. Research has shown that this tendency is higher among young women in our country compared to other age groups. On the other hand, middle-aged individuals are experiencing an increase in weight gain, but the rate of attempts to lose weight has decreased.

 

Normal weight but "I am obese" vs. Underweight but "Intensify dieting"

 

According to a study conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's research team based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013–2021), 28.3% of women in their 20s (2019–2021) who had normal weight perceived themselves as being obese, and 16.2% of those who were underweight attempted to lose weight. This raises concerns because it can increase the risk of malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis, and may negatively impact pregnancy and childbirth.

People who need to lose weight: "Carefree" vs. Underweight-Normal weight: "Need to lose weight"

 

Maintaining an appropriate weight is very important for health. However, the attempt rate for weight loss among obese individuals who need to lose weight was only 54.6% for men and 62.9% for women (2019–2021). In contrast, the attempt rate for weight loss among underweight or normal-weight individuals who do not need to lose weight was higher in women in their 20s. During 2019–2021, it was as high as 46.0%, indicating that about half of women in their 20s are excessively concerned with weight control. The phenomenon is occurring where those who need to lose weight do not do so, while underweight or normal-weight individuals are dieting.

 

Younger age and higher education level... actively attempt weight loss

 

The proportion of underweight women who perceive themselves as obese was less than 1% from 2019 to 2021, but the rate of attempting to diet was 9.3%. Women were twice as likely as men (4.5%) to attempt weight loss. In particular, the weight loss attempt rate among women in their 20s was 16.2%, the highest among all age groups for both genders. The younger the age and the higher the level of education, the more likely individuals who perceive themselves as obese to actively attempt weight loss. Common dieting methods included aerobic exercise, stress management, avoiding high-risk alcohol consumption, and reducing excessive intake of energy and fats.

 

"Why is it especially severe in our country?"... We need to change the social atmosphere that promotes unnecessary dieting.

 

Among women in their 20s, there is a high rate of perceiving themselves as having a body shape classified as obese, even when their weight is not obese. This is due to a socio-cultural atmosphere that favors slim body types, leading to indiscriminate weight control and an overestimation of their own body shape. This phenomenon is particularly more prevalent in our country compared to foreign countries.

In the case of women with normal weight who perceive themselves as overweight or obese, they tend to attempt dieting through methods such as taking diet pills rather than exercise or dietary control. This is because weight regain can cause excessive increases in blood pressure, lipid levels, blood sugar, and insulin, which negatively affect the cardiovascular system. Additionally, being underweight before pregnancy can lead to recurrent miscarriages. Therefore, efforts are needed to change the social atmosphere that encourages unnecessary dieting among women of reproductive age.

 

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What is the normal value?

If you ask yourself?

 

A person with underweight status

It seems you have an obsession with needing to diet more.

 

On the contrary, obese people are

You think your weight is normal.