The Education Ministry said Tuesday that 15.3 percent of elementary, middle and high school students were obese in 2013, showing an increase of 0.6 percent from the year before.

According to the ministry, the rate of obesity in students in rural areas was higher than in cities.

About 17 percent of elementary students in rural areas were obese compared to 12.8 percent of those in major cities. The obesity rate of middle school students in metropolitan areas was 14.5 percent, lower than the 16.1 percent of their counterparts in farming or fishing communities.

The data also implied deteriorating eating habits. The percentage of students eating fast food at least once a week increased in all age groups from last year. High school students were the group most likely to eat fast food and least likely to eat vegetables.

(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)