Researchers looked at what Korean adults ate between 2007 and 2022 to see how eating habits changed over time. They studied nearly 80,000 people and found that Koreans gradually switched from traditional foods to more Western-style eating, including more processed foods, red meat, and sweets. This shift happened differently for men and women, and younger people adopted these new eating patterns faster. The study shows that eating more red meat and alcohol (especially for men) or more flour-based foods and sweets (especially for women) was linked to higher risks of health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the foods Korean adults eat have changed over 16 years and whether different eating patterns increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and weight problems
  • Who participated: Nearly 80,000 Korean adults (33,408 men and 46,628 women) aged 19 and older who answered questions about what they ate during a single day between 2007 and 2022
  • Key finding: Korean eating habits shifted away from traditional foods toward Western-style eating with more processed foods, red meat, and sweets. Men who ate lots of red meat and alcohol had 28-35% higher chances of developing health problems like high blood pressure and obesity. Women who ate more flour-based foods and sweets had 8-14% higher chances of high cholesterol.
  • What it means for you: If you’re Korean or eat similarly, being aware of how your diet has shifted toward more processed and Western foods may help you make healthier choices. However, this study shows patterns in groups, not what will happen to any one person, so talk to a doctor about your personal health risks.

The Research Details

This study used information collected by the Korean government’s health survey from 2007 to 2022. Researchers asked people what they ate in a single day and used that information to identify three main eating patterns: traditional Korean food, red meat with alcohol, and flour-based foods with sweets. They then looked at how these patterns changed over the years and whether people following each pattern had more health problems. The researchers used special statistical methods to account for differences between men and women and different age groups.

The study analyzed 28 different food groups and how much of people’s daily calories came from each group. By grouping similar eating patterns together, researchers could see that Korean adults’ diets gradually became more like Western diets over time. They also looked at whether people with different eating patterns had higher rates of problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

This type of study is useful because it looks at real-world eating patterns rather than just single nutrients, and it shows how these patterns change over many years. However, because researchers only asked people about one day of eating, they couldn’t capture how much people’s diets vary from day to day.

Understanding how eating patterns change over time helps public health experts create better nutrition programs and policies. Instead of just telling people to eat less salt or more vegetables, this approach shows that entire eating patterns are shifting in a population. This information is especially important because different eating patterns affect men and women differently, so health recommendations might need to be tailored based on sex and age.

This study is based on a large, nationally representative sample of Korean adults, which makes the findings more reliable than smaller studies. The researchers used consistent methods to collect dietary information over 16 years, allowing them to track real changes. However, the study relied on people remembering what they ate in one day, which may not be perfectly accurate. The study shows associations between eating patterns and health problems, but it cannot prove that the eating patterns caused the health problems—other factors could be involved.

What the Results Show

The research identified three main eating patterns among Korean adults. The Traditional pattern included rice, vegetables, and fish. The Red Meat & Alcohol pattern included beef, pork, and alcoholic drinks. The Flour-based Foods & Sweets pattern included bread, noodles, and sugary foods.

Between 2007 and 2022, Korean eating habits shifted significantly. The Traditional pattern became less common, while the Flour-based Foods & Sweets pattern became the most popular starting in 2013. Younger people (ages 19-29) and women were more likely to follow this newer pattern.

For men, eating the Red Meat & Alcohol pattern was linked to the highest health risks. Men following this pattern had 35% higher chances of high blood sugar, 33% higher chances of high blood pressure, 16% higher chances of high triglycerides (a type of blood fat), 17% higher chances of high cholesterol, 18% higher chances of belly fat, and 28% higher chances of overall obesity.

For women, the Flour-based Foods & Sweets pattern was most concerning. Women following this pattern had 14% higher chances of high cholesterol and 8% higher chances of high LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol). The health risks were generally smaller for women than for men with their respective problematic eating patterns.

The study found that the shift toward Western eating patterns happened gradually but consistently over the 16-year period. Younger age groups adopted these new patterns faster than older adults. The Traditional pattern remained somewhat common among older adults but became rare in younger age groups. The research also showed that the health risks associated with different eating patterns varied by sex, suggesting that men and women may respond differently to dietary changes.

Previous research has shown that Western-style diets are associated with higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in many populations. This study confirms that pattern in Korea and shows it’s happening as the population’s eating habits become more Western. The finding that different eating patterns affect men and women differently adds new information to what we already knew about diet and health.

The study only asked people about what they ate on one day, which may not represent their typical eating habits. People might not remember everything they ate or might not be honest about their food intake. The study shows that certain eating patterns are linked to health problems, but it cannot prove that the eating patterns caused the problems—other factors like exercise, sleep, and stress could be involved. The study only included Korean adults, so the results may not apply to other populations. The researchers could not track the same people over time, so they couldn’t see how individual people’s diets changed.

The Bottom Line

If you eat a lot of red meat and alcohol (especially if you’re male), consider reducing these foods and eating more vegetables, fish, and whole grains. If you eat a lot of bread, noodles, and sweets (especially if you’re female), try replacing some of these with whole grains and vegetables. These recommendations are based on patterns seen in large groups, so talk to a doctor or nutritionist about what’s best for your personal health. The evidence is moderate strength because the study shows associations but cannot prove cause and effect.

Anyone eating a Western-style diet, especially Korean adults or those eating similar foods, should pay attention to these findings. Men who eat lots of red meat and alcohol should be particularly concerned about their heart disease and diabetes risk. Women who eat lots of processed flour-based foods and sweets should monitor their cholesterol levels. Younger people appear to be adopting these eating patterns more quickly, so they may want to be especially mindful. If you have existing health problems like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, these findings are particularly relevant to you.

Changes in blood pressure and cholesterol can sometimes be seen within weeks to months of changing your diet, but more significant health improvements usually take several months to a year. Weight loss, if needed, typically takes longer. The health risks shown in this study developed over many years of eating patterns, so it’s never too late to make improvements, but consistency over time is important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily intake of red meat, alcohol, and flour-based sweets separately. Set a goal to reduce red meat to 2-3 times per week and limit sweets to 1-2 servings daily. Monitor your portions of bread and noodles, aiming to replace half with whole grain versions.
  • Use the app to log meals and identify which of the three eating patterns your diet most closely matches. If you’re following the Red Meat & Alcohol or Flour-based Foods & Sweets patterns, set a specific goal to add one new vegetable or fish dish to your weekly meal plan and track your progress.
  • Review your eating pattern weekly to see if you’re shifting toward a more traditional or balanced diet. Track any health markers you monitor (like blood pressure or cholesterol if you have them checked) every 3-6 months to see if dietary changes are helping. Compare your pattern distribution monthly to watch for gradual improvements.

This study shows associations between eating patterns and health risks but cannot prove that one causes the other. Individual responses to dietary changes vary greatly based on genetics, exercise, sleep, stress, and other factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or registered dietitian. If you have existing health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, consult with a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. The findings apply specifically to Korean adults and may not apply to other populations.