Ministry releases critical data: 3.5 million people measured, results worse than expected
In the first 5 weeks of the "Learn Your Ideal Weight, Live Healthy" campaign conducted by the Ministry of Health, the height and weight of more than 3.5 million people were measured. According to the measurement results, only about 37 percent of the participants were underweight or at a normal weight, while 35 percent were overweight and 28 percent were obese. The high rate of overweight individuals among men and obesity among women drew attention.
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Data regarding the first 5 weeks of the "Learn Your Ideal Weight, Live Healthy" campaign, launched by the Ministry of Health across Turkey, has been shared.
WOMEN APPLIED MORE
According to the statement made by the Ministry, the height and weight of a total of 3 million 572 thousand 436 people have been measured since the beginning of the campaign. Men accounted for 47.1 percent of these participants, while women accounted for 52.9 percent.
2.2 MILLION PEOPLE ARE ABOVE NORMAL WEIGHT
The data obtained revealed significant findings based on body mass index (BMI). It was determined that approximately 2 million 221 thousand 201 of the individuals who participated in the measurements were above a normal weight.
28 PERCENT ARE IN THE OBESE CATEGORY
While it was determined that only 5 percent of the participants were underweight and 32 percent were at a normal weight, 35 percent fell into the overweight category and 28 percent into the obese category.
FIFTH WEEK DATA
In the fifth week, conducted between June 7-13, participation in the campaign reached a record level. During this period, the height and weight of a total of 930 thousand 941 people, including 441 thousand 269 men and 489 thousand 672 women, were measured.
The BMI results for this week were also striking. 5.9 percent of the participants were in the underweight range, 33.2 percent were at a normal weight, 35.1 percent were overweight, and 25.8 percent were obese.
The Ministry of Health informed 567 thousand 319 people whose BMI values were above normal, directing them to primary healthcare facilities to receive free nutrition and physical activity counseling services. This group consisted of 300 thousand 534 women and 266 thousand 785 men.
The data obtained from the campaign also revealed striking differences between the genders. While the rate of being overweight stood out at 40.5 percent in men, this rate remained at 30.6 percent in women. On the other hand, it was determined that 31 percent of women were obese, while 22.3 percent of men were obese. This picture showed that the obesity rate is higher in women, while the rate of being overweight is more dominant in men.