President of the Turkish Society of Gastroenterology (TGD), Professor Mehmet Dzhindoruk, said that obesity is not just a problem of excess weight, but a disease that threatens the health of the population. During the press conference held as part of the 41st National Congress of Gastroenterology in Antalya, he noted that the level of obesity in Turkey approached the indicators of the United States: “Unfortunately, Turkey in terms of obesity began to compete with America, and the indicators are almost the same. According to data, 30% of the population of our country suffers from obesity, ”said Dzhindorok.
Congress gathered almost 1,400 participants and included 56 sessions, 12 lectures, 4 panels and 15 satellite symposia. Dzhindoruk emphasized that obesity becomes a global problem covering both developed and developing countries. He noted that obesity is an important risk factor for the development of many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breathing, joint problems and mental health.
“Obesity is not just a problem of appearance, it is a serious disease that leads to the development of cancer, heart disease, depression and other problems,” he added.
According to the professor, obesity has many reasons, including a genetic predisposition, improper nutrition habits, a sedentary lifestyle, stress and hormonal disorders. However, he noted that obesity is a preventive disease, and with the help of healthy changes in lifestyle it can be controlled.
Congress also discussed the problem of inflammatory intestinal diseases, the spread of which in Turkey continues to grow. Congress Chairman, Professor Aikut Ferhat Chelik, noted that environmental factors, such as toxic substances and microplastics, influence the development of these diseases, violating the balance of the immune system.
Professor Shebem Gyursa, in turn, said that the cancer of the large intestine is one of the few types of cancer that can be prevented by adding that it takes the second place in prevalence among men after lung cancer and the prostate gland, and in women – after cancer lungs and chest.