Childhood Obesity in Türkiye: First in Europe, Third in the World

Turkey ranked 3rd globally and 1st in Europe in childhood obesity.

Urbanization, changing eating habits and sedentary life seriously threaten the metabolic and psychological health of growing children.

World Health Organization (WHO) data and expert warnings showed that the situation has turned into a chronic health crisis rather than an innocent overweight. Speaking to Cumhuriyet on the subject, dietitian Gürkan Hnız explained the basic dynamics behind the picture, the mistakes families make and the solutions.

PERCEPTION THAT A chubby child is a healthy child

Stating that the modern food industry and changing lifestyle played a role in Turkey's rise to the first place in Europe, Hnız emphasized that genetic factors were only a trigger in this process. Hızz stated that social perception also negatively affected the process and said:

"Unfortunately, there is still a misleading perception in Turkish society that 'a chubby child is a healthy child', passed down from generation to generation. While traditional, vegetable-based Turkish cuisine dishes have decreased, the impractical and dangerous 'fast-food' culture has increased."

Pointing out that the increase in screen time silently wears out children's internal organs, Hnız said that in children who remain inactive for a long time, the muscles do not work and the energy received cannot be used.

'IT WORNS OUT SILENTLY'

Hız stated that satiety and hunger signals are confused in front of the screen, and that unconscious snack consumption causes fatty liver and sugar balance in children, and that due to the seriousness of the situation, he sometimes plays sports and games with his clients. Stating that families' oppressive or restrictive attitudes towards children are counterproductive, Gürkan Hnız stated that the pressure to "eat" or "don't eat" pushes the child into an emotional shield.

Emphasizing that the inspections and product variety in school canteens are not yet at a sufficient level, Hnız noted that healthy alternatives should replace processed foods.

Warning that excess weight may lead to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, joint and reproductive health problems in the future, Hınıs stated that the psychological dimension should not be forgotten. Hız said, “Peer bullying that children with weight problems are exposed to causes deep psychological wounds in the child.

The bullied child again turns to high-energy foods to suppress the stress he experiences. "This vicious circle, when combined with the cortisol hormone secreted under stress, further accelerates weight gain," he added.

HIDDEN SIGNALS OF INSULIN RESISTANCE

Insulin resistance, seen in one in every four people in Turkey, occurs when the body's sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar, decreases.

Internal medicine specialist Dr. states that this condition, which often progresses silently, can manifest itself with symptoms such as enlargement around the waist, frequent hunger, desire to sleep after meals and darkening of the skin. Emrah Turunç said that attention should be paid to fat around the waist and frequent hunger, drowsiness and sweet cravings after meals, darkening of the skin, changes in blood fats and hidden sugar.