1 in 5 normal-weight South Korean women see themselves as obese amid drug misuse concerns

A significant portion of South Korean women, even those within a normal weight range, perceive themselves as obese, a trend potentially fueled by the rising popularity and prescription of weight-loss drugs. A recent analysis by the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity highlights this disconnect between actual weight and self-perception.

The report, based on big data analysis of subjective body image perception, found that 18.9% of women with normal Body Mass Index (BMI) considered themselves obese. This figure rises dramatically to 66.9% among women who are technically overweight but not yet classified as obese. The study, which analyzed data from 2022-2024, also noted that young adults aged 20-39 were most likely to perceive themselves as obese, with 15.7% of normal-weight individuals and 54.8% of overweight individuals in this age group holding this view.

This phenomenon is occurring alongside a rapid increase in the prescription of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. These medications mimic gut hormones to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. Data shows that Mounjaro, for instance, saw its prescriptions surge by approximately 14.7 times from its launch in August last year to May this year, with over half of these prescriptions issued to individuals in their 20s and 30s.

While these drugs can be effective for obese patients, health authorities are concerned about their misuse by individuals who do not require them. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is considering designating these drugs as "drugs with a risk of misuse" due to potential side effects like severe vomiting, muscle loss, nutritional imbalances, and decreased basal metabolic rate, which can necessitate hospitalization.