Korean teens face sharp decline in health as school pressures mount
A long-term study has tracked worrying trends in the health of Korean adolescents as they move through school. Both physical and mental well-being appear to decline, with sharp increases in harmful behaviours like smoking, drinking, and excessive smartphone use. The findings also highlight a critical shift in substance use patterns among older students.
The research reveals that only 13.5% of Korean adolescents meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. As students progress from primary to high school, their exercise levels drop further, and dietary habits worsen. Mental health concerns are equally striking, with 35.1% showing signs of smartphone overdependence and 8% reporting moderate to severe anxiety.
Alcohol and tobacco use rise dramatically with age. By the second year of high school, 60.8% of adolescents had tried alcohol, and 33.7% had consumed a full drink. Tobacco use jumped from just 0.35% in sixth grade to 9.59% by the second year of high school. Among second-year high school girls, liquid e-cigarettes (1.54%) became more popular than traditional cigarettes (1.33%) for the first time.
The transition into the first year of middle school marks a particularly risky period for exposure to harmful substances. Peer influence plays a major role, as adolescents are far more likely to start smoking or drinking if their friends already do or hold permissive attitudes toward these behaviours.
No details were provided about the organisation behind the study, nor were there plans announced for its continuation over the next three years.
The study paints a clear picture of declining health among Korean adolescents as they advance through school. Smoking, drinking, and smartphone overuse increase steadily, while physical activity and diet suffer. Without intervention, these trends suggest long-term risks for the well-being of young people in the country.
