Obesity Threatens Public Health as Rates Soar in Turkey
At the recent 41st National Gastroenterology Week Congress held in Antalya, experts issued an alarming warning about the rise of obesity in Turkey. Almost 1,400 participants, including renowned healthcare professionals, gathered for the congress that featured 56 sessions, 12 conferences, four panels, a video session, and 15 satellite symposia.
Professor Dr. Mehmet Cindoruk, president of the Turkish Gastroenterology Association, emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “Obesity has become a serious problem threatening public health.”
A Global Epidemic
The Professor highlighted that obesity is rising rapidly worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions.
“Obesity is not just a weight problem but a disease. It is a major issue in both developed and developing countries. Unfortunately, Türkiye’s obesity rate now competes with that of the USA, and the rates are nearly identical,” he stated.
Dr. Cindoruk pointed out that according to the current obesity risk mapping, both the U.S. and Türkiye are marked in red, indicating highly concerning obesity rates. “According to the data, 30% of our population is obese,” he added.
Obesity, often perceived solely as an aesthetic concern, is a multifaceted disease closely linked to numerous health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, joint issues, and psychological problems.
“While typically defined as having a body mass index over 30, obesity is not only related to physical appearance. It has serious health consequences. Obesity leads to various adverse conditions such as colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, heart diseases, joint problems, depression, and social isolation.”
Dr. Cindoruk emphasized the importance of adopting a preventative approach.
“Many factors contribute to obesity, including genetic predisposition, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, stress, and hormonal imbalances.”
” However, it’s crucial to understand that obesity is a preventable disease. With healthy lifestyle changes, it can be managed effectively.”
Rising Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Congress President, Professor Aykut Ferhat Çelik, drew attention to the increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases, noting that while the exact cause remains unknown, bothgenetic and environmental factors play a role in its development.
< mercantile army of "There are many toxins in our environment and they have spread everywhere. Toxins and microplastics have spread as far as Antarctica.
Inevitably, we are ingesting these toxins every single day, and our bodies recognize them as foreign antigens. The body reacts to these toxins, damaging the beneficial gut flora."
Dr. Çelik emphasized the alarming trend in Türkiye, stating, “There has been a significant increase in the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases in Türkiye, pointing out that modern lifestyles introduce risk factors that trigger the disease in individuals with existing genetic susceptibility.
He outlined several detrimental environmental factors impacting gut health. “Western-style diets, highly processed foods, exposure to pollution and toxins, smoking, and chronic stress, all disrupt the immune system balance, affecting both the emergence and severity of inflammatory bowel diseases.”
Professor Çelik emphasized that the disease manifests with symptoms such as abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, bloody stools, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss, and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Early Detection Key to Fighting Colon Cancer
Professor Şebnem Gürsoy highlighted the importance of early detection and prevention for colon cancer, noting that it is among the badeadly cancers to affect the world
per reporting indicates it is the third most common cancer in the world after lung snipers and娱prostate cancer in men and lung and breast cancers in women.
According to Dr. Cindoruk, what are the key contributing factors to the alarming increase in obesity rates?
## Interview with Dr. Cindoruk
**Interviewer:** Dr. Cindoruk, thank you for joining us today. You recently raised alarm bells about the rising obesity rates in Turkey. Can you elaborate on the severity of the situation?
**Dr. Cindoruk:** Absolutely. Obesity has become a serious public health threat, not just in Turkey, but globally. We’re witnessing an epidemic, with rates nearly identical to those in the United States. [1]
In fact, current obesity risk mapping paints a worrying picture, with both Turkey and the US marked in red indicating highly concerning rates – around 30% of our population is obese. It’s no longer just a cosmetic issue; it’s a serious disease with far-reaching consequences.
**Interviewer:** What are some of the health risks associated with obesity?
**Dr. Cindoruk:** Obesity is linked to a multitude of health problems. We’re talking about increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, and joint issues. It can even contribute to certain cancers like colon, breast, and cervical cancer.
Furthermore, it can impact mental health, leading to depression and social isolation. It’s crucial to understand that obesity is not just about appearance; it significantly impacts overall well-being.
**Interviewer:** What are some of the factors contributing to this alarming increase in obesity rates?
**Dr. Cindoruk:** There are several factors at play. Genes play a role, but lifestyle choices are key drivers. Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, stress, and hormonal imbalances all contribute. The modern lifestyle, characterized by sedentary behaviour and processed food consumption, unfortunately, makes it easier to gain weight and harder to maintain a healthy weight.
**Interviewer:** What can be done to address this growing problem?
**Dr. Cindoruk:** While the situation is dire, it’s important to emphasize that obesity is preventable. We need to focus on promoting healthy lifestyle changes.
This includes encouraging balanced diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting processed foods and sugary drinks. Regular physical activity is also essential.
We must create environments that support healthy choices, such as access to affordable, healthy food options and safe spaces for physical activity.
Education and raising awareness about the risks associated with obesity are also crucial in tackling this crisis.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Cindoruk, for your insights into this critical issue.
