Jung Jun-sung's Yeomindongrak (357) The Truth About 'Obesity Injections'

The standard for obesity is measured by 'BMI,' or Body Mass Index, as set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The index refers to the value obtained by dividing body weight by the square of height.

Typically, 20-25 is considered normal, 26-30 is overweight, and above 30 is considered obese.

Asians, who are relatively smaller in build, are considered overweight at 23 or above, and obese at 25 or above.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the obesity prevalence rate (BMI 25 and above) among South Korean adults is 38.4% (as of 2022), which is considerably high.

In particular, men have a prevalence rate of 49.8%, meaning roughly one in two men is obese.

This is markedly higher compared to women at 27.7%.

It is established wisdom that the higher the prevalence rate, the more susceptible people are to disease and the higher the mortality rate.

Therefore, body mass index has long been recognized as a figure threatening life, going beyond a simple matter of body shape.

This is because obesity triggers insulin resistance, which leads to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasized the severity of the situation, announcing that as of 2022, the global obese population had exceeded 1 billion.

Despite these concerns, it is also conventional wisdom that obesity is not a matter of laziness or lack of willpower.

This is because it is a chronic disease resulting from the complex interplay of genetic, biological, and environmental factors.

Nevertheless, social prejudice and stigma labeled as 'personal responsibility' remain strong.

Of course, obesity is certainly a disease that must be managed.

However, at the same time, excessive dieting and body weight obsession are also not beneficial to health.

This is why obesity treatment injections developed by 'global pharmaceutical companies' have emerged.

Globally, demand for such injectables is exploding.

South Korea is no exception. Year after year, demand for obesity treatment injections continues to surge.

Last year, approximately 1.1 trillion won worth was imported.

This year, the growth rate is steeper, with close to 100 billion won imported in January alone.

This reflects the resolution of health problems stemming from being overweight and the desire to become slimmer.

In particular, for severely obese patients or those with metabolic disorders, such treatment can be a definitive means of changing quality of life.

However, the problem is that obesity treatment injections are being indiscriminately used beyond medical necessity for cosmetic diet purposes.

Harmful misinformation exploiting this is rife in the market.

According to data from the Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency, 1,147 cases of harmful misinformation were identified from 2023 to April of this year.

There were also 210 reports (18.3%) of adverse effects from obesity treatment injections, including damage to the digestive system and pain.

In response, the government recently issued a 'consumer safety alert' related to obesity injection treatment.

Furthermore, it has stepped up efforts to designate it as a 'drug of concern for misuse and abuse' and prevent prescriptions outside approved indications.

The truth about obesity injections also clearly conceals the risk of health damage.

When the injection is stopped, rebound weight gain occurs, and not only fat but muscle mass also decreases, often lowering the basal metabolic rate.

When muscles are lost, the moment the medication is discontinued, the body becomes prone to gaining even more weight.

Given these considerations, obesity treatment injections cannot be a panacea if one does not accurately understand their own body condition.

Moreover, it is clearly not a 'miracle drug.'

Under proper medical judgment, it is merely a 'medical tool' that demonstrates its true value only when used alongside lifestyle modification.