Worried at the serious health implications and economic concerns of obesity in South Korea, the nation’s national health insurance agency is forming a special task force to combat the medical condition.

According to the National Health Insurance Service, South Koreans spent 2.7 trillion won ($2.65 billion) on obesity and obesity-related diseases in 2011. Back in 2007, however, only 1.9 trillion won was spent in total on the health condition.

As of last year, 32.4 percent of adult South Koreans were diagnosed as obese. The number of overweight Koreans has increased by 1.6 times in the past decade, according to data released by the Health Ministry.

In addition, the ministry notes that 1 in 4 South Korean male children are obese, while 1 in 3 elderly people here suffer from obesity.

According to NHIS, the number of young Koreans in their 20s and 30s who suffer from severe obesity has increased by 5.55 percent. Higher consumption of fast food and physical inactivity are some of the major risk factors here.

“Obesity increases the chance of developing cancers, including cervical, liver and kidney cancers, according to a research in the U.K.,” said NHIS in a statement.

The task force, which is being launched on Oct. 27, consists of some 18 medical and nutrition experts. The team is scheduled to come up with anti-obesity programs and file a report by the end of next year.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)