Obesity is a chronic disease caused by an imbalance in the body’s energy balance, affecting one-third of adults in Turkey. Obesity is diagnosed when the Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 30 kg/m², and it is examined in three stages according to the BMI value: Stage 1 (30-34.9 kg/m²), Stage 2 (35-39.9 kg/m²), and Stage 3 (over 40 kg/m²). Excessive fat accumulation in the abdominal area (over 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 5 times, the risk of heart attack by 3 times, and the risk of high blood pressure by 6 times.

Sedentary Lifestyle

The inactivity brought by modern life is the most important factor leading to obesity. Sitting at a desk for an average of 9 hours a day and walking less than 5,000 steps slows down the metabolism by one-third. People who spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a screen have a 78% higher risk of obesity, and those who work from home are 44% less active than office workers.

Unhealthy Eating

Daily eating habits can have serious long-term consequences. Consuming one sugary drink per day leads to a 7 kg annual increase, and consuming fast food more than 3 times a week results in an additional 920 kcal per day. While 80% of the calories consumed after 8 pm are converted to fat, irregular meal intervals increase insulin resistance by 65%. The 1.5-fold increase in portion sizes over the last 20 years has triggered excessive calorie intake.

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal balance plays a critical role in weight control. Obesity is seen in 62% of hypothyroidism patients and can cause uncontrolled weight gain of 3-5 kg per year. Cortisol, which rises due to stress, triggers fat accumulation, especially in the abdominal area, and affects 83% of the population. Polycystic ovary syndrome leads to insulin resistance, while the post-menopausal decrease in estrogen increases fat accumulation by 40%.