Obesity Is a Chronic Disease

The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) first held this day in May 2010, conducting public awareness campaigns on combating obesity.

Chair of the Turkish Obesity Research Society (TOAD) Prof. Dr. Volkan Yumuk:

"In the treatment of obesity disease, a team encompassing all disciplines from dieticians to psychologists, exercise specialists to physicians must work together. The fight against obesity should continue and accelerate through partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, universities, industry and media. As in the world, individuals with obesity in Turkey face prejudice. Doctors have very important responsibilities in ensuring that these prejudices do not stand in the way of treatment. As a member of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, we also carry out work in increasing awareness, providing education, supporting scientific research, and preventing and treating obesity." he said.

General Manager and Vice President of Novo Nordisk Turkey Burak Cem:

"According to World Health Organization data from 2016, obesity has tripled globally since 1975. Worldwide, of 1.9 billion overweight adults, 650 million are obese. Furthermore, 41 million children under age 5 are overweight or obese. According to the Turkey Nutrition and Health Research conducted by the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of obesity disease in Turkey is 36 percent. In Turkey, one out of every three people is obese. As Novo Nordisk, we work to communicate that obesity is a treatable chronic disease and to improve the lives of individuals with obesity by offering new drug treatments." he said. The ACTION IO (Awareness, Care, and Treatment In Obesity Management – an International Observation) global study announced at the European Obesity Congress held in Glasgow, Scotland last month involved 14,500 individuals with obesity and 2,800 healthcare professionals across 11 countries on 5 continents. According to the study results, there are significant differences between healthcare professionals and individuals with obesity in the perception of obesity.

• 8 out of every 10 individuals with obesity think responsibility for weight loss belongs solely to themselves.
• 7 out of 10 healthcare professionals think individuals with obesity are not interested in losing weight, while only 1 individual with obesity reported being uninterested.

• 81 percent of individuals with obesity have made serious efforts to lose weight at least once in the past, while healthcare professionals believe only 35 percent of their patients have made such efforts.
• 68 percent of health experts believe individuals with obesity lack motivation to lose weight, while this rate is only 20 percent in the responses of individuals with obesity.