By Kim Cheong-won
Staff Reporter
Only one out of three Koreans are in good health, according to a report released on Monday.

The National Health Insurance Corporation released the report, titled ``Analysis of 2004 Medical Checkup,’’ which showed that 51.29 percent, or 6,860,142 out of 13,374,488 people eligible for a medical checkup, took the checkup last year.

The report showed that 34.89 percent of those who took the medical checkup were in good health while 4.67 percent had certain diseases.

Over 16 percent of the checkup takers needed further checkups, according to the report.

More than 38 percent of the people were advised to take extra care of their health, change their dietary habits and improve their living environments to avoid getting diseases, the survey said.

Over 14 percent of the people requested cancer-related checkups, a surge from 8.2 percent in 2002.

The average height of men among the medical checkup takers was 169.77 cm, while that of women was estimated at 156.54 cm. Men’s average weight was 63.94kg and with women at 55.87kg.

The report showed 29.6 percent of the checkup takers were smokers, 3.6 percent down from 2002.

Over 21 percent of smokers consume more than a pack of cigarettes while 56.6 percent smoke between half and a pack.

More than half of the checkup takers didn’t exercise at all while 19.1 percent exercised three times a week.

When it comes to drinking, 47.4 percent of the people answered they hardly drink at all, while 9.3 percent said they drink more than three times a week.

Compared with 2002, non-drinkers increased by 2.5 percent, according to the report.

kcw@koreatimes.co.kr