The number of obese Koreans has ballooned over the past 10 years, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said Wednesday.

According to a study just released by the ministry, more than 30 percent of Koreans are estimated to be obese, a jump of 11 percentage points compared to 10 years ago.

The number of seriously overweight people who need medical treatment has doubled in that period, as has the number of obese 12-year olds.

This is because more and more people are exercising less and less while consuming more high-calorie food. The number of people who walk for 30 minutes five times a week has decreased by 30 percent over the past six years.

This resulted in a rise in the number of sufferers from diabetes and high cholesterol.

The report shows that people are eating more salt, consuming three times more sodium than recommended but only half the suggested amount of calcium and potassium.

Arirang News