The Changes in Obesity Prevalence and Dietary Habits in Korean Adults by Residential Area during the Last 10 Years — Based on the 4th (2007–2009) and the 7th (2016–2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to discover the changes in obesity prevalence and dietary habits in Korean adults residing in various residential areas during the last 10 years. Methods: Data on Korean adults aged 19 years and above was obtained from the 4 (20072009) and the 7 (2016-2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects were classified into metropolitan (4: n=5,977, 7: n=6,651), urban (4: n=4,511, 7: n=5,512) and rural (4: n=3,566, 7: n=2,570) based on their residence. The general characteristics, nutrient intake, intake amount, food groups, and healthy dietary factors were analyzed. The association between residential areas and obesity prevalence were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Results: In urban and rural areas, the obesity rate increased in the 7 survey compared to the 4 survey, excluding the metropolitan area. The carbohydrate intake decreased, and lipid intake increased in the 7 survey compared to the 4 survey. Over the same period, the intake of cereals and vegetables decreased, and the intake of meat and processed foods increased. Rural residents had a higher intake of cereals and vegetables, and a lower intake of milk and processed foods than those in metropolitan areas and urban residents. The proportion of subjects who practiced a healthy diet increased in the 7 survey compared to the 4 survey. In the 4 survey, there was no relationship seen between the prevalence of obesity and the subject’s residential area, but in the 7 survey, the odds ratio of obesity was higher in rural areas than in the metropolitan areas, confirming the regional gap (OR: 1.16, 95% CI=1.00-1.36, P=0.044).