South Korean women face rising underweight rates and health risks amid skinny ideal
Data show South Korean women are four times more likely than men to be underweight, sparking health concerns and calls for stricter regulation of weight-loss drugs.
According to figures released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 6.2% of South Korean women were classified as underweight in 2025, a proportion nearly four times higher than that of men. The highest regional rate, 8.2%, was recorded in Seoul, while obesity remains more common among men, peaking at 49% on Jeju Island. Researchers note that many women with normal or even low BMI mistakenly view themselves as obese, with 18.9% of normal-weight women and 0.6% of underweight women reporting such misperceptions.
A KDCA survey also revealed that over half of women with a normal BMI have tried to lose weight. Lawmakers are urging tighter controls on weight-loss drugs to protect those who are already at a healthy or underweight level, citing potential health risks such as weakened immunity, osteoporosis, anemia, and increased fracture risk.
Why it matters
The trend highlights how cultural beauty standards can harm public health and may prompt policy action on weight-loss drugs.
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