A Free Pass to the Gym
Outdoor gyms are commonplace in South Korea. They provide users with conventional equipment, among them, the Bench Press, Dumbbells, and the Decline Abs machine as well as gadgets that Westerners might be less familiar with: ones that allow you to swing your appendages (arms, hips, etc.) in mysteriously beneficial patterns. I have observed mostly middle-aged, or senior, men and women at these fresh-air gyms, typically located at the bottom, middle and tops of numerous hiking trails.
Seeing that physical activity appears to be highly valued here, it is
not surprising that the Korea Times reported in a 2009 article that,
according to a survey conducted between 2006-2008, South Korea had the lowest obesity rate when compared to the other countries that make up the membership of the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development. South Korea was winning with a 3.5% obesity rate, and Japan and Switzerland were not too far off with their, respectively, 3.9% and 7.7% obesity rates. For the sake of comparison, the United States reported their obesity rate as 34.3%. * And, for my fellow Canadians, in 2007, Canada's obesity rate was at 15%.***
Although the aforementioned rates apply to those aged 15 and
older, the OECD claims that
every single one of their member countries have seen an increase in both their
overweight and
obesity rates in both children and adults.** Although I couldn't find any updated statistics in my search, it is obvious that the weight issue in South Korea still pales in comparison to many other countries. Perhaps part of South Korea's secret can be found their outdoor gyms, where it only pays you, the user, to pump a little iron, swivel those hips, and swing some arm.
** OECD iLibrary: "Overweight & obesity among children"
***OECD iLibrary: "Overweight & obesity among adults"
