Türkiye has the highest obesity rate in Europe, with 66.8% of the population overweight and 32.1% of adults classified as obese, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This alarming statistic has triggered urgent calls for public health interventions and policy changes to address the growing crisis.

Health experts attribute the surge in obesity to a complex interplay of factors, including increased consumption of fast food, economic barriers to accessing healthy food, and reduced physical activity due to rapid urbanization. Speaking on World Obesity Day, Dr. Alihan Oral, an internal medicine specialist, emphasized the severe health risks associated with obesity, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.  

A study by the DAHUDER Obesity Research Group, analyzing data from over 10,000 obese individuals across 20 provinces, revealed that 35% had diabetes, 54% suffered from hypertension, 75% had fatty liver disease, and 79% exhibited high cholesterol levels. These findings underscore the severe strain obesity places on Türkiye’s healthcare system.

The global obesity crisis is also worsening, with a Lancet study projecting that by 2050, 60% of adults and 31% of children worldwide will be overweight or obese. This represents a dramatic increase from 1990. The study highlights regional disparities, with China, India, the United States, and several other countries accounting for over half of the world’s overweight and obese adults.  

Among high-income nations, the United States, Chile, and Argentina are expected to have the highest obesity rates by 2050. In Europe, Greece is projected to lead. Alarmingly, childhood obesity is expected to surge by 121% by 2050.  

In Türkiye, record-high food inflation has made nutritious meals unaffordable for many, driving them towards cheaper, processed foods. Urbanization has also reduced access to green spaces and opportunities for physical activity. Dr. Salih Can Celik, a gastroenterology surgeon, stressed that obesity is a chronic disease requiring medical attention, influenced by genetics, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress.  

Health experts are urging the Turkish government to implement robust policies to combat the crisis. They point to successful measures in other European countries, such as subsidies for healthy food, mandatory nutrition education, and urban planning that promotes physical activity.

Without urgent interventions, Türkiye’s healthcare system faces increasing pressure, impacting millions of lives and placing a significant economic burden on the nation. Experts warn that comprehensive, multi-faceted action is urgently needed to address this critical public health emergency. (ILKHA)