The Turkish Ministry of Health launched a national campaign under the slogan “I know your weight, live with health” aimed at combating obesity by conducting measurements of the BMI (BMI) for 10 million citizens in public places, such as squares, shopping centers, bus stations and stadiums, by July 10, 2025.
This campaign is implemented in all 81 Turkish provinces, where health workers measure the length and weight of passers -by. If it turns out that the body mass index per person is 25 or more, it is directed to family health centers and state health centers to receive free food consultations and periodic follow -up.
This initiative aims to raise awareness about the risks of extra weight and enhance a healthy lifestyle, especially in light of the high rates of obesity in Turkey, where the statements of the World Health Organization for 2023 indicate that about 30% of the population suffers from obesity.
However, the campaign has sparked widespread controversy by citizens, who considered that conducting measurements in public places is a violation of privacy, and it may be embarrassed for some. Some also indicated that the campaign ignores the economic factors that affect the food lifestyle, such as high food prices and low wages, which makes it difficult for many to follow a healthy diet.
For his part, Turkish Minister of Health, Kamal Mamishoglu, acknowledged that he was classified in the excess weight category after measuring it in Ankara, indicating that he would start walking daily as a step towards improving his health.
This campaign comes at a time when Türkiye faces economic challenges, as the annual inflation rate reached about 38%, which increases the difficulty of reaching healthy food options for many citizens.
While the campaign aims to enhance health awareness, some believe that it may lead to counterproductive results if the social and economic aspects of citizens are not observed.
