A Study Says 70 Percent of Koreans Aren’t Eating Enough Meat

It's pretty surprising that the culture that created arguably the world's greatest barbecue also has a pretty severe problem with not eating enough meat. While the rest of the world eagerly embraces the savory succulence of ganjang-smothered galbi, South Koreans across the board observe temperance, by choice or otherwise.

According to The Korea Herald, a study by researchers at Dankook University in South Korea revealed that more than 72 percent of the Korean population is not eating enough protein, based on current dietary recommendations.

The study looked at the eating habits of more than 17,460 Koreans from 2010 to 2012. The result? Current guidelines say that they need to eat more meat, be it chicken, beef, pork—or maybe some other, other white meat … if they happen to have a surplus of fava beans and and a nice chianti.

This problem was especially troubling among the elderly. More than 90 percent of Korean women aged 65 and older were not eating the minimum 51 grams of protein that is recommended for that age group. Elderly Korean men were doing a little better, but not much; 84 percent of them were not getting adequate amounts of protein as well.

"Not enough meat consumption can lead to a number of health problems, and the elderly can be more vulnerable to such consequences," professor Choi Yoon-jae from Seoul National University told The Korean Herald.

There are other sources of protein besides meat, of course—dairy, grains, mushrooms, beans, and legumes, to name a few. But inadequate consumption of protein can lead to a number of nasty health conditions. Poor hearing, skin problems, and decreased immune functions have all been tied to a deficit of protein in older people, according to a study by the Little Rock Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center in Arkansas. And anemia and mental problems can affect people of all ages if they don't consume enough protein.

In fact, anemia is a well-known problem among Korean women, roughly 11 percent of whom have been treated for it, according to 2012 statistics. Professor Moon Hyun-kyung of Dankook University said lack of meat is at the root of the problem.

One group in Korea, however, seems to be faring well in the competition for meat: boys aged 12 to 18. Are their grandparents forgoing their own beef and chicken so the little ones can eat up? At least 50 percent of the younger age group is getting enough meat.

Moon said the dearth of meat consumption is especially problematic for pregnant women, teenagers, and elderly men. All three groups need high-quality protein to prevent muscle loss.

So what are Koreans eating if not the delicious barbeque we love so much? Traditionally, they eat a lot of carbohydrates, thanks to rice and other grains. They also consume levels of sodium that are two-and-a-half times higher than is recommended by the World Action on Salt and Health.

And, like so many other nations around the world, Koreans are now overeating high-fat and high-calorie foods.

Perhaps its time to lay down the industrial-sized bags of honey-butter chips and jump into some bathtubs full of bo ssam. I know I would.