S. Koreans' daily energy intake drops 11 pct in 10 yrs

Seoul, November 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean men and women consumed fewer calories per day in 2024 compared to a decade ago, according to government data released on Sunday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that men reduced their daily calorie intake from an average of 2,236 calories in 2015 to 2,136 calories in 2024, a decline of 11.9 percent.

Women's daily calorie intake fell from 1,659 calories in 2015 to 1,580 calories in 2024, a 10.6 percent decrease. These figures represent a significant drop in overall energy intake for both genders over the past decade.

The report highlights a shift in the dietary composition of South Koreans. Carbohydrates, which previously made up 64.6 percent of men's diet in 2015, now constitute 56.5 percent of their daily caloric intake in 2024, a reduction of 6.4 percentage points. The proportion of fat in the diet increased from 21.3 percent to 26.7 percent over the same period. Conversely, the protein intake for both men and women rose slightly, from 14.9 percent to 16.6 percent for men and from 14.1 percent to 15.8 percent for women.

The trend of undereating among South Koreans has also become more prevalent. The KDCA defines individuals who consume less than 75 percent of the recommended caloric intake as undereaters. The number of undereating men increased from 23.2 percent in 2015 to 34.6 percent in 2024, while the proportion of undereating women rose from 32.4 percent to 39.7 percent during the same period.