Vast majority of Turkish young adults fail to maintain regular exercise, according to research findings.
Istanbul, Turkey -START OF ARTICLE-
A staggering 92% of Turkish youth aged between 15 and 24 are leading sedentary lives, eschewing regular physical activity, according to recent findings presented at a youth health meeting in Istanbul.
The data, unveiled at the gathering, stemmed from reports compiled jointly by AstraZeneca Turkey and TOCEV Foundation, using data from the 2019 and 2022 health surveys.
Beyond inactivity, the reports expose other risky health behaviors among the youth. Approximately 65% of the young individuals surveyed do not consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, while 25% regularly engage in tobacco use.
The reports also warn that 24% of young people are at heightened risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity.
Doctor Deniz Ertürk Erem, commenting on the findings, stated, "Tobacco use, poor diet, and a lack of physical activity are leading causes of chronic diseases." These findings underscore the need for urgent action to foster healthier habits among Turkey's youth.
Regarding efforts to combat these health issues, extended national programs like the Turkey Health Nutrition and Active Life Program (2014-2017) have been launched to prevent obesity and associated diseases by promoting adequate nutrition and regular physical activity. The program has been extended and the Adult and Childhood Obesity Prevention and Physical Activity Action Plan (2019-2023) has been implemented, with measures to improve access to healthy foods and address economic barriers to a nutritious diet.
Public health campaigns and measures, such as a national health campaign to weigh citizens in public spaces, have been initiated to raise awareness and tackle the rising trend of overweight and obesity among the youth. The campaign aims to measure the Body Mass Index (BMI) of ten million people, including young people, by July 2025.
In addition, nutritional improvements and behavioral encouragement are being implemented to promote healthier dietary habits and more physical activity. Initiatives include placing fruits and vegetables prominently in stores and subsidizing sugar beet to encourage dietary diversity.
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- The reports suggest that 24% of young people in Turkey are at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity, which are often linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor nutrition, tobacco use, and lack of exercise.
- To address these issues, the Turkish government has launched programs like the Turkey Health Nutrition and Active Life Program, which aims to prevent obesity and associated diseases by promoting adequate nutrition and regular physical activity. They have also implemented the Adult and Childhood Obesity Prevention and Physical Activity Action Plan.
- As part of efforts to combat unhealthy lifestyle habits, public health campaigns have been initiated, such as a national health campaign to weigh citizens in public spaces, with a goal to measure the Body Mass Index (BMI) of ten million people, including young people, by July 2025. Additionally, initiatives like promoting nutritional improvements and placing fruits and vegetables prominently in stores are being implemented to encourage healthier dietary habits and more exercise.
