TÜBA Published “Yüzyılın Salgını: Obezite”
One of the main goals of TÜBA is to raise public awareness and develop solutions based on academic knowledge to build a healthier future. Epidemic of the Century: Obesity, contributes to society and the world of science by presenting a comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of obesity.
It is a valuable guide not only for scientists, but also for health professionals, policy makers, local governments and all stakeholders working to build a healthy society.
More than 1.9 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese
Obesity, as one of the most widespread and serious health problems of the age, reduces the quality of life of individuals, threatens public health and spreads as an epidemic that imposes heavy burdens on health systems. Speaking on the subject, President Şeker stated that obesity affects all age groups and has significant physical, psychological and social consequences, and that the global health problem deeply affects not only the physical health of individuals, but also the social structure, economies and cultural norms of societies.
Şeker continued as follows: “Triggered by factors such as technological developments, urbanization and modern lifestyle, obesity is becoming more widespread due to reasons such as sedentary life, easy access to high-calorie and low-nutrient foods, and childhood obesity in particular is a major risk. According to World Health Organization data, more than 1.9 billion people worldwide are overweight or obese and this number is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years. The widespread prevalence of obesity in developing countries as well as developed countries has caused it to become a multidimensional public health problem at the global level. In this context, the fight against obesity requires not only an individual effort, but a collective struggle that requires policies and multidisciplinary strategies to protect public health.” He also stated that policies carried out by governments and non-governmental organizations in cooperation are of great importance for a sustainable public health.
Emphasizing that the book was created with the contributions of Türkiye's leading scientists, Şeker pointed out that the causes of obesity, its spread rate, biological and socioeconomic effects, treatment methods and policies to improve public health are discussed in detail. He stated that the work aims to raise awareness in the society by bringing up-to-date scientific information to the public and that obesity is an issue that has far-reaching effects not only on individuals but also on social structure, economic costs and cultural norms. He also noted that scientific research conducted at national and international level and social policies developed in this field offer solutions in the fight against obesity. He also expressed his gratitude to TÜBA-Food and Nutrition Working Group Members, researchers, authors and all stakeholders who supported this process.