Over the last 20 years, Turkey has increased diabetes by 67%, which means that the preallence has almost doubled almost doubled, more than 16% of the population. International Diabetes Federation Now lists Turkey as the highest diabetes country in the European region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Agreement for Global Health Observatory Data, Diabetes’s Age-Manager in Turkey in 2022 16.6% adult population (over 18 age): 16% males and 17.1% women. In comparison, the European Union is an average of about 7-8%. The council in Türkiye is thus almost double the European medium.
Thesis statistics follow a consistent trend. WHO data shows that diabetes in Türkiye has been increasing continuously for the last 20 years. In 2002, the age standardized spread in more than 18 people was 9.9%. It increased by 11.4% in 2008, 14.1% in 2015, 15.9% in 2020 and 16.6% in 2022.
One in about six people are now affected. The risk in people above 30 years of age is particularly clear. In this group, the spread is 22.2% – more than one in five. The council was very low in the European Union in 2022: 2.7%in France, 6.6%in Germany, 7.2%in Italy.
Criticism of health policy
Experts in the region say that the responsibility of this negative development of development was read with the leaders. “The biggest problem behind growth is food policy,” says Kayahan Pala, an MP with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). “The Ministry of Health is not meeting its responsibilities.”
In the idea of the pala, the main causes of increasing cases of diabetes are not genetic factors, but lifestyle and diet: lack of exercise, as well as consumption of large amounts of carbohydrates and various sugars.
According to an OECD report in 2014, about 45% of people diagnosed as diabetic knew nothing about their illness. This indicates that millions of people live inadvertently, or late diagnosis. In Türkiye, a particularly large number of people are hospitalized, called uncontrolled diabetes, when a poor management of the condition leads to various complications. This ratio was 402.6 for every 100,000 inhabitants-average of 47.3-average of eight-half times OECD.
The latest OECD figures of 2023 show no improvement. While the number of people with diabetes in Türkiye is much higher than the average, reverse is correct for successful treatment figures. Kayihan Pala says that it reflects the failure of the Turkish health system. The initial diagnosis and systematic control of the disease is immediately needed, as it is a political will to encourage changes in lifestyle.
Survey reveals insufficient treatment
A study conducted by the Ministry of Turkish Health confirms OECD findings: many new diagnosis patients have high levels of blood sugar. How well the disease is kept under control. All differences can be made in the age, penis and living area of a patient. Women and men are specificly deprived of low -income areas. Diabetes is a therapy, but a social and economic problem.
Pala says that the situation will not change without better medical care and better commission of medicine. “Some patients have difficulty reaching their medicines,” they say. “And diagnosis communication between patients and doctors is often spoiled.”
Obesity and ineffective campaign
Pala believes that combating obesity wood proves to be decisive in reducing diabetes, but Turkish strategies are insufficient to do so. Although obesity is one of the most important risk factors, measures being implemented by the Ministry of Health are not yet affecting permanent solutions.
The Ministry has now presented an action plan for the next three years. Its purpose is to encourage healthy food, regulate the canteen in schools and offices and increase physical activity. Some 7.7 million people were evaluated as part of a campaign titled “Discover Your Ideal Wet, Healthy Live.” However, the results were not published, nor were the regional variations known in the spread of obesity.
As Who European Regional Obesity Report 2022In Türkiye, the percentage of people who are overweight and thick, the highest in Europe, 66.8% of the population is falling into this category.
Debate around starch-based sugars
Türkiye’s food standard is contributing to the problem. Statutical requirements for healthy nutrition are insufficient, and there is no restriction on advertising of unhealthy foods.
He said that Turkish food scientist Bull heint Sick ended the problem in an interview with DW: “Cheap, easily available snacks and sugars cool drink consumption is directly associated with incidence in obesity measures, no more than symbolic policies,” he said.
Public health expert Kihan Pala indicates starch-based sugars as another contribution factor. “It is scientifically proving that consuming large amounts of corn syrup, which is more in fructose, increases the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. People who are not ESE prefer to get sick more if they consume the thesis,” he warns.
The issue of starch-based sugars has been in discussion in Türkiye for years. The country’s Chinese law passed in 2001, established the production quota of 10%. In 2008, Kota reached 15%, and in the sub -later years it increased by 50%. In 2018, it was again reduced by 5%. Since then, after a decree by President Recep Taip Erdogan, it has fallen to 2.5%.
Children and school food
Pala is calling for a fundamental policy change in prevention of diabetes in Türkiye. “We need science-based, social far-reaching programs for the fight against nutrition, prevention, and diabetes and obesity. We will not find projects anywhere alone.”
Pala states that there should be a problem in the bud. Measures to deal with diabetes also have to focus on children. Healthy nutrition in childhood is a decisive factor. Pala is calling for free school food for all children, describing it as one of the most effective measures in dealing with the risk of obesity and diabetes.
This article was translated from German.