Korean Body Shape 'Becoming More Western'

 

The body shape of Koreans is becoming more Western. According to a survey by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards of 1,228 people between 40 and 69 last year, Korean adults' legs are now about 1 cm longer than their counterparts' eight years ago.

Forty-something men are 1.3 cm taller and have 1 cm longer legs, while those in their 50s boast 1 cm longer legs although their average height is the same as their predecessors'.

For men in their 60s, the average height and leg length are down 0.3 cm and up 0.7 cm.

While the average height does not show a uniform trend, body proportions have changed to longer legs. As for women in their 40s to 60s, they are now 1.3-2.4 cm taller and have 0.4-1 cm longer legs.

Obesity has decreased among both genders and all age groups. Men now have slimmer chests, waists and hips while women are taller with a lower body mass index.

The changes are attributable to growing interest in health, which in turn changed people's diet and caused them to exercise more, the agency said.

Meanwhile, as people grew older their body shape changes to less muscular tissue and a bigger belly.