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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Height and weight differences between North and South Korea.
1Department of Economics, University of Tuebingen, Germany.
Journal of Biosocial Science
|July 24, 2008
Summary
Children in North Korea are significantly shorter and lighter than those in South Korea due to socioeconomic disparities. This study compares anthropometric data, revealing stark differences in height and weight between the two Koreas.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Public Health
- Comparative Sociology
Background:
- Socioeconomic factors significantly impact physical development.
- North Korea and South Korea present a unique case study for comparative analysis due to their divergent development paths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify anthropometric differences (height and weight) between North Korean and South Korean populations.
- To explore the correlation between socioeconomic conditions and physical stature in the two Koreas.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of anthropometric data.
- Utilized national data from South Korea's Research Institute of Standard and Science.
- Incorporated United Nations survey data from North Korea (2002).
Main Results:
- North Korean pre-school children are up to 13 cm shorter and 7 kg lighter than South Korean children.
- North Korean women weigh up to 9 kg less than their South Korean counterparts.
- Significant height and weight disparities are linked to socioeconomic differences.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic disparities between North and South Korea have a profound and measurable impact on physical development.
- The findings highlight the critical role of economic development and nutrition in population health and stature.
- Further research is recommended to explore long-term health outcomes associated with these differences.
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