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One in six elementary, middle and high school students in Korea is obese, and half of them may have at least one risk factor for metabolic syndrome, according to a report released Sunday by the National Health Insurance Service.

The study, which analyzed various data, including school health screenings, checkups for infants and examinations of out-of-school youth, found that in 2023, the obesity rate among infants and toddlers stood at 8.3 percent, while 16.7 percent of students were classified as obese.

This means that one in every 12 infants and one in every six students falls under the obese category. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.7 percent among infants and 27.3 percent among students.

Researchers also examined whether these obese students showed key risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Among the students categorized as obese, 20.2 percent were in the prediabetic stage, raising significant concerns about the long-term health risks associated with childhood obesity.

Moreover, 16.4 percent of them were also in the pre-hypertension stage, while 6.5 percent were suspected of having hypertension.

In terms of dyslipidemia, 33.3 percent had borderline total cholesterol levels, while 15.9 percent were classified in the high-risk range. Overall, 50.5 percent of obese students were suspected of having at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor.

"Obese children face increased risks of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. These conditions are increasingly common in adolescents before they even reach adulthood," said Ryu In-hyuk, a pediatrician at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.

"Even with complications present, medication should not be the first course of action. Improving diet and lifestyle habits is key to effective treatment, rather than drastic weight loss."

The report's findings are particularly timely, as childhood obesity continues to be a growing concern in Korea. Changes in diet, combined with a reduction in physical activity, have contributed to rising obesity rates. In response, the government is exploring ways to promote healthier lifestyles among young people, including expanding nutritional education and increasing access to physical activity programs.