South Korean teenagers, particularly girls, show alarmingly low levels of physical activity, placing among the lowest worldwide, according to a Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency report released on March 27.
Analyzing student health data from 2015 to 2023, the study found only 8.9% of girls and 25.1% of boys met the guideline of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity at least five days a week. In addition, only 55.2% of girls and 59.8% of boys reported walking for 10 minutes daily in 2022, meaning nearly half the Korean teens that year didn’t even see minimal daily movement.
International comparisons highlight the issue: just 13.4% of Korean high school students were physically active in 2023, compared to 46.3% in the U.S. Among girls, only 6.6% were active, versus 36% of American peers.
Low activity levels are linked to rising obesity and poor mental health. Students who exercised more reported healthier weights and less stress.
Experts recommend that schools adopt more engaging options like K-pop dance. They stress the need for coordinated efforts from schools, communities, and the government to make physical activity a natural part of teen life.