Have you ever spent the night in the library working on assignments while eating a cup of instant noodles? Or have you ever hesitated in front of a menu offering a healthy meal? A salad for 10,000 won, a hamburger for 5,000 won. The choices you face in the streets around Konkuk University (KU) are not simply about today’s lunch, but about weighing your health and your future.
Today, obesity is not just a matter of personal lifestyle, but a serious global public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already defined obesity as the global pandemic of the 21st century, and it is spreading rapidly, not only in advanced countries but also in developing ones. Obesity is identified as a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and certain cancers, and it leads to increased premature mortality as well as rising direct and indirect medical costs. The seriousness of the issue is also revealed in the costs of medication. Recently, the anti-obesity drug Wegovy has been priced at several hundred thousand won per month, so while some are able to regain health thanks to the drug, others cannot even attempt it due to its high cost.
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