The food insecurity–obesity paradox: a comparison of three obesity measures and sociodemographic disparities in Korean adults
Authors' conclusion
Food insecurity seems to have a stronger positive association with PBF than with BMI or WC among Korean women, especially those who are older and reside in urban areas.
Study context
- Population
- Korean adults aged ≥30 years, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019–2021
- Participants
- 12,447 adults
- Exposure
- Food insecurity vs food security
- Outcome
- Obesity by three measures: PBF ≥25% for men or ≥35% for women, BMI ≥25 kg/m², WC ≥90 cm for men or ≥85 cm for women
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Association of food insecurity with obesity in women
Women: food insecurity and percentage body fat (PBF)-defined obesity, OR
1.37
95% CI 1.03–1.81
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Prevalence of household food insecurity
- All
- 4%
- Men
- 3.7%
- Women
- 4.6%
Food insecurity and PBF-defined obesity by sociodemographic factors
- Positive associations in older women and urban residents but not in their counterparts
Original publication
The food insecurity–obesity paradox: a comparison of three obesity measures and sociodemographic disparities in Korean adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 3 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →