Obesity rates in Türkiye have risen to 21.8% in 2025, according to the country's Health Survey. This alarming statistic highlights a growing public health concern and underscores the need for proactive measures to address the issue. The survey, conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), reveals a concerning trend in the prevalence of obesity among the population. The data indicates that the proportion of individuals aged 15 and over classified as obese has increased from 20.2% in 2022 to 21.8% in 2025, based on body mass index calculations. This trend is particularly concerning when broken down by gender, with 24.8% of women and 18.7% of men classified as obese, and 32.2% of women and 43.1% of men classified as pre-obese. These figures underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.
The survey also highlights persistently low levels of physical activity, with 86.6% of the population not engaging in regular physical activity in 2025. This is despite the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Only 4.1% of men and 2.7% of women reported meeting this guideline, indicating a significant gap between the recommended and actual levels of physical activity. The survey's findings on physical difficulties are also concerning, with difficulty climbing stairs affecting 8.3% of women and 3.7% of men, and problems with learning or memory affecting 5.4% of women and 2.8% of men.
The most common illnesses among children aged 0-6 were upper respiratory tract infections (28.5%), followed by diarrhea (24%) and lower respiratory tract infections (5.2%). In the 7-14 age group, upper respiratory infections again ranked first (24.6%), followed by diarrhea (16.4%) and dental or oral health problems (8.2%). For adults aged 15 and over, lower back problems (24.3%), hypertension (16.9%), neck problems (16.7%), diabetes (11.9%), and high blood lipid levels (10.1%) were the most frequently reported long-term health issues. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of these common illnesses and promote healthier lifestyles.
The survey also revealed an increase in daily tobacco use, with the share of daily tobacco users aged 15 and over rising from 28.3% in 2022 to 30.1% in 2025. Among men, the rate stood at 42.9%, while for women, it was 17.5%. This trend is concerning, as tobacco use is a major risk factor for various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory problems. The proportion of people who do not use tobacco, including former users and those who have never smoked, declined slightly from 68% to 66.8%.
On a positive note, preventive screenings among women have increased. The rate of mammography use rose from 10.8% in 2022 to 16.7% in 2025 among women aged 40 and over. However, 42.4% of women in this age group reported never having had a mammogram. Similarly, the share of women aged 15 and over who had a smear test increased from 7.2% to 11.8% over the same period, but 59% reported never having undergone the test. These findings highlight the need for continued efforts to promote preventive screenings and encourage women to take proactive steps towards their health.
In conclusion, the 2025 Türkiye Health Survey reveals a concerning trend in obesity rates, physical inactivity, and common health issues. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of these issues and promote healthier lifestyles. By taking proactive measures, Türkiye can work towards improving the health and well-being of its population and reducing the burden of obesity-related diseases.
