By Choi Sung-jin
Koreans sleep an average of 6.3 hours a day, the least among the Asia-Pacific countries, a survey showed Monday.
According to the poll of 15 regional countries conducted by AIA, a life insurance company, Koreans' sleeping time was 0.6 hours shorter than the Asia-Pacific nations' average of 6.9 hours.
The expected hours of sleep was also shortest among Korean respondents, with 7.5 hours, compared with the regional average of 7.9 hours, it said.
More than half the domestic respondents, or 53 percent, said "their children are not getting enough sleep." As to reasons, 39 percent cited the use of the Internet, followed by 30 percent who pointed to afterschool classes.
The health-life index -- a comprehensive measurement of health by putting together the sleep, weight, dietary habits and stress indexes -- stood at 61 points in Korea, ninth highest among the 15 countries surveyed. It improved a little from the 57 points and 15th place in 2013 but still fell short of the average 64 points.
China recorded the highest level in the Asia-Pacific with 72 points, and Hong Kong was lowest with 57 points.
Koreans think themselves fat and said they needed to diet. Asked whether they are satisfied with their present weight, 74 percent replied "no" and said they have to diet, 26 percentage points higher than the regional average of 48 percent and in second-highest place following Taiwan's 76 percent.
Dissatisfaction with weight was higher among women (81 percent) than men (66 percent), with their desired weight loss reaching 7.2 kilograms, on average. As to reasons for a diet, 93 percent cited the need to enhance overall health and 91 percent said they wanted to feel sleeker.
Up to 40 percent of Koreans also thought their children need to reduce their weight -- 2.5 times higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 16 percent -- by an average of five kilograms.
In the area of eating habits, 31 percent of Koreans skipped breakfast, twice the regional average of 15 percent. Asked whether they drink sufficient water a day, only 51 percent said "yes," far lower than the regional average of 68 percent. Only 40 percent of Koreans said they eat vegetables and fruit consistently for weight control, compared with the regional average of 60 percent, the survey showed.
Koreans' stress index was 6.6 points, higher than the average of 6.2. Asked to cite multiple reasons for feeling stressful, 81 percent named family debt, followed by company affairs (80 percent), social life (67 percent) and private health (60 percent).
With respect to private health, concerns about cancer took up the largest portion of 71 percent. Specifically, men were mostly worried about stomach cancer (44 percent), liver cancer (38 percent) and lung cancer (36 percent), while women were most concerned about stomach cancer (44 percent), breast cancer (36 percent) and cervical cancer (31 percent).
AIA had one-on-one interviews with 10,316 adults aged 18 or more in the 15 countries, including 751 Koreans, for the survey, it said.
Koreans sleep an average of 6.3 hours a day, the least among the Asia-Pacific countries, a survey showed Monday.
According to the poll of 15 regional countries conducted by AIA, a life insurance company, Koreans' sleeping time was 0.6 hours shorter than the Asia-Pacific nations' average of 6.9 hours.
The expected hours of sleep was also shortest among Korean respondents, with 7.5 hours, compared with the regional average of 7.9 hours, it said.
More than half the domestic respondents, or 53 percent, said "their children are not getting enough sleep." As to reasons, 39 percent cited the use of the Internet, followed by 30 percent who pointed to afterschool classes.
The health-life index -- a comprehensive measurement of health by putting together the sleep, weight, dietary habits and stress indexes -- stood at 61 points in Korea, ninth highest among the 15 countries surveyed. It improved a little from the 57 points and 15th place in 2013 but still fell short of the average 64 points.
China recorded the highest level in the Asia-Pacific with 72 points, and Hong Kong was lowest with 57 points.
Koreans think themselves fat and said they needed to diet. Asked whether they are satisfied with their present weight, 74 percent replied "no" and said they have to diet, 26 percentage points higher than the regional average of 48 percent and in second-highest place following Taiwan's 76 percent.
Dissatisfaction with weight was higher among women (81 percent) than men (66 percent), with their desired weight loss reaching 7.2 kilograms, on average. As to reasons for a diet, 93 percent cited the need to enhance overall health and 91 percent said they wanted to feel sleeker.
Up to 40 percent of Koreans also thought their children need to reduce their weight -- 2.5 times higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 16 percent -- by an average of five kilograms.
In the area of eating habits, 31 percent of Koreans skipped breakfast, twice the regional average of 15 percent. Asked whether they drink sufficient water a day, only 51 percent said "yes," far lower than the regional average of 68 percent. Only 40 percent of Koreans said they eat vegetables and fruit consistently for weight control, compared with the regional average of 60 percent, the survey showed.
Koreans' stress index was 6.6 points, higher than the average of 6.2. Asked to cite multiple reasons for feeling stressful, 81 percent named family debt, followed by company affairs (80 percent), social life (67 percent) and private health (60 percent).
With respect to private health, concerns about cancer took up the largest portion of 71 percent. Specifically, men were mostly worried about stomach cancer (44 percent), liver cancer (38 percent) and lung cancer (36 percent), while women were most concerned about stomach cancer (44 percent), breast cancer (36 percent) and cervical cancer (31 percent).
AIA had one-on-one interviews with 10,316 adults aged 18 or more in the 15 countries, including 751 Koreans, for the survey, it said.
![[INTERVIEW] Ecolab helps Korean partners profit from ESG management](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/7a924189dbb7426ab12275ba98702309.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[ANALYSIS] Has N. Korean leader's daughter been confirmed as heir apparent?](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e65868a1b5834cc3aef853378637d1fd.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Lifeline for migrant workers in Korea' - Rev. Kim fights for foreign employees' rights](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8fb4b5d381da49df90276394550f2889.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Korea to work with US, Japan to fight climate change](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/800d9054a14b4a0f9cc576366cc1b914.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[REVIEW] Preview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/c7528d2924cd43c8a469cd46e6f56127.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
