Turkey’s Obesity Rate Rises to 21.8% in 2025 Health Report

Turkey’s Obesity Rate Rises to 21.8% in 2025 Health Report

June 3, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

Recent health data reveals a concerning upward trend in obesity rates among individuals aged 15 and older. The proportion of the population classified as obese has risen from 20.2% in 2022 to 21.8% in 2025.

This increase is accompanied by a significant number of individuals falling into the “pre-obese” category. Specifically, 32.2% of women and 43.1% of men are identified as pre-obese, while obesity rates stand at 24.8% for women and 18.7% for men.

The Crisis of Physical Inactivity

A stark majority of the population struggles with physical inactivity, with 86.6% of people reporting no physical activity. While there has been a slight decline in inactivity—dropping from 85.3% to 83.5% for men and from 92.7% to 89.7% for women—the numbers remain high.

The Crisis of Physical Inactivity
Turkey 2025 Health Report obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week for adults. However, only 4.1% of men and 2.7% of women meet the 150 to 300-minute weekly activity threshold.

Did You Know? According to the WHO, more than 1 billion people globally are obese and 1 in 10 school-aged children are affected by obesity.

Impact on Mobility and Cognitive Function

The lack of activity and rising weight are mirrored in reported physical difficulties. Approximately 6% of the population experiences challenges when climbing or descending stairs, with women reporting this at 8.3% and men at 3.7%.

Difficulty in walking is reported by 5.6% of women and 2.8% of men. Cognitive challenges such as difficulties in learning or remembering affect 5.4% of women and 2.8% of men.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the vast gap between WHO recommendations and actual activity levels—where only a tiny fraction of the population meets aerobic guidelines—could be a primary driver for the rising obesity and mobility issues observed in the data.

Rising Trends in Tobacco and Alcohol Use

Lifestyle risks are further compounded by an increase in substance use. Daily tobacco use among those 15 and older rose from 28.3% in 2022 to 30.1% in 2025, with men at 42.9% and women at 17.5%.

Turkey fights rising risk of obesity

the percentage of non-tobacco users has decreased from 68% to 66.8%. Similarly, alcohol use within the last 12 months increased from 12.1% in 2022 to 12.6% in 2025.

Future Implications

If these trends persist, the proportion of the population facing mobility and cognitive challenges may likely increase. The rising rates of obesity and tobacco use could potentially lead to a higher burden of chronic health conditions.

A possible next step for improving these metrics may involve bridging the gap between current activity levels and the WHO’s recommended aerobic thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current obesity rate for those aged 15 and older?
As of 2025, the obesity rate for individuals aged 15 and over is 21.8%.

How many people meet the WHO’s physical activity recommendations?
Only 4.1% of men and 2.7% of women engage in 150 to 300 minutes of physical activity per week.

How has tobacco use changed between 2022 and 2025?
Daily tobacco use among individuals 15 and older increased from 28.3% in 2022 to 30.1% in 2025.

How do you think urban environments influence the ability of adults to meet weekly physical activity guidelines?