Analysis of Obesity Rates and Physical Fitness levels in Seogwipo, Jeju : 2022 Investigation of Nutrition and Physical Activity in Jeju

According to the Community Health Survey, Jeju has been the region with the highest obesity rate in the country for the past 10 years. The Seogwipo is the area in Jeju with the high prevalence of obesity and relatively low rates of healthy lifestyle practices such as walking activity rate, high-risk drinking rate, and smoking rate. This research was the part of the “2022 Investigation on Nutrition and Physical Activity in Jeju” that was conducted regularly every four years as the part of the “Nutrition Management and Physical Activity Activation Ordinance to Promote the Health of Jeju Island Residents” enacted in 2021 to investigate obesity levels in the Seogwipo area. Physical fitness level data was analyzed. In Seogwipo, Jeju, 259 adults aged 19 or older were selected and their height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference and %bodyfat were measured. Muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured for physical fitness. As the result of the study, the obesity rate was found to be 50.4% based on body mass index, which is higher than the 35.2% results from the Community Health Survey, and the obesity rate was found to be more serious than the reported 74.1% based on %bodyfat. There was a high correlation between obesity and physical fitness level. There was a significant correlation between body mass index and %bodyfat, and muscle strength and flexibility for men, and muscle strength and muscular endurance for women. It is reported that the obesity rate in rurals is higher compared to the Seogwipo city, so it is recommenced that obesity management in rurals should be more focused. In addition, the current muscle strength and flexibility exercises to prevent musculoskeletal arthrosis and help individuals live independent life.