"Half of Turkish Women and a Third of Men to Be Obese by 2030"

Acıbadem Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Dean and Nutrition and Dietetics Department Head Prof. Dr. Murat Baş states that obesity is a complex issue that cannot be explained solely by individual food preferences, saying: "Urbanization, technological advances, economic inequalities and the structure of the food industry play a major role in rising obesity rates worldwide. Reduced daily physical activity and easy access to cheap and unhealthy foods make obesity inevitable."

Childhood obesity has more than doubled
Prof. Dr. Murat Baş says: "Over the last 30 years, obesity rates in children have more than doubled. This indicates that heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases will become more widespread in the future. Intervention is needed not only through individual solutions, but also through societal and policy measures."

Obesity rates in Turkey sound an alarm
Turkey ranks among the countries with the highest obesity rates for women and the fifth highest for men in Europe. The obesity rate, which was 8.6% in 1975, rose to 32.1% in 2016. Prof. Dr. Murat Baş states: "In 1961, daily energy intake per capita in Turkey was 2,955 calories. Today this figure has climbed above 3,925 calories. Ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages have become one of the primary causes of obesity."

Noting that systemic changes are necessary beyond individual awareness in combating obesity, Prof. Dr. Murat Baş says: "Health systems should be developed to better serve individuals living with obesity. Policies should be implemented to reduce the consumption of processed foods, and access to healthy foods should be facilitated. Urban planning should be designed to encourage physical activity, and walking paths and green spaces should be increased. Furthermore, social stigma surrounding obesity must be addressed. Obesity is not an individual problem, it is a systemic crisis. We must move beyond blaming individuals and build a healthier future," calling on everyone to be sensitive to this issue.

Modern life feeding obesity
Nowadays, reduced physical activity, widespread unhealthy eating habits and easy access to high-calorie foods are among the primary causes of obesity. Desk work, increased motor vehicle use and widespread digitalization significantly reduce daily physical activity.

Furthermore, noting that the high cost of healthy foods drives low-income individuals towards cheaper, processed and high-calorie foods, Prof. Dr. Murat Baş states: "The increase in fast food consumption and the prevalence of processed foods containing high sugar and saturated fat affect the entire society, especially youth and children. While these foods lead to excessive energy intake in the body causing weight gain, they also damage gut microbiota and negatively affect digestive health. Additionally, the consumption of sugary beverages is one of the important factors triggering obesity. Per capita annual consumption of sugary beverages in Turkey has reached 160 liters, nearly double the global average."

A frequently discussed topic regarding obesity is the role of genetic predisposition. Noting that some individuals may be genetically more prone to weight gain, Prof. Dr. Murat Baş states: "However, research shows that environmental factors trigger genetic predisposition. In other words, genetic factors alone are not determining; an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle are among the main causes of obesity. Obesity has become a public health crisis threatening not only individual health but also the global economy. OECD reports show that obesity increases health expenditures by 8% annually and causes productivity losses."

Obesity reality in Turkey
Prof. Dr. Murat Baş points out that Turkey is seriously affected by the obesity crisis: "The obesity rate, which was 8.6% in 1975, rose to 32.1% in 2016, quadrupling. According to World Health Organization projections, by 2030, half of Turkish women and a third of Turkish men will be obese. Turkey ranks first among European countries for women and fifth for men. This dramatic increase points to a public health crisis threatening not only the quality of life of individuals but also the health system and the country's economy. In Turkey, 84 out of every 100,000 deaths are reported to be obesity-related. This rate is nearly double the global average...."