SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA  - 7 July 2025 - With persistent and emerging physical and mental health challenges among South Korean children, St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, highlights the meaningful and impactful nature of pediatrics careers.

From managing physical and emotional well-being to supporting families through vulnerable moments, pediatricians play a vital role in guiding the next South Korean generation toward a healthier future.

The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity has increased among Korean children and adolescents. A survey by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination, revealed 23.5% of Korean children and adolescents are overweight, while the figure for those with obesity stood at 14.2%. Environmentally induced health conditions such as allergic rhinitis, deteriorating mental health, smartphone addiction, and antisocial behavior have also become major public health concerns for the Korean pediatric population.

Dr. Ahmed Hussein, an SGU graduate from the Doctor of Medicine degree program in 2022, advises that regular pediatric checkups are the single most important preventive measure. “Each age group has its own anticipatory guidance for a healthy life and specific screening tools for diseases,” he said. “These routine visits allow pediatricians to provide tailored advice on nutrition, development, and emotional wellbeing.”

“Pediatrics is a deeply rewarding field because it’s not just about treating young patients, it’s about supporting entire families through some of their most vulnerable moments,” said Dr. Hussein. “You become a trusted guide, helping parents navigate uncertainty and empowering them to nurture their child’s health beyond the clinic. It’s a role that requires empathy, resilience, and a genuine passion for making a long-term impact.”

Reflecting on his journey into pediatrics, Dr. Hussein describes it as a field full of daily joy and renewal. “Each patient encounter is like meeting a new friend for playtime,” he shares. “We laugh, play, and joke during our time together while tackling the main reason for their visit. It’s a constant regeneration of energy during the day.”

Addressing the post-pandemic surge in screen addiction, anxiety, and delayed social development in children, Dr. Hussein urges families to create emotionally connected environments. “Routines that prioritize outdoor play, face-to-face interaction, and emotional openness,” he notes, are key to cultivating resilience in children navigating today’s fast-evolving world.

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SOURCE:
St. George's University School of Medicine

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