IMM started the period of active struggle against obesity, which has turned into a public health problem, with the 'Obesity Combat Action Plan'. Announcing the strategy document that will be a model for local governments, IMM Deputy Secretary General Şengül Altan Arslan explained the point Turkey has reached in obesity, “3 out of every 1 people in our country is obese. We are in the first place in Europe in this regard. We are in the second highest position among OECD countries after the USA”. Arslan called on the people of Istanbul to take action against obesity and announced his 6-item action plan.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) announced its new vision in its studies on obesity. Şengül Altan Arslan, Deputy Secretary General of İBB, who shared the 'Action Plan for Combating Obesity' with the public, said that obesity is one of the most important health problems threatening all humanity. Informing that one out of every three people in Turkey suffer from obesity, Arslan said, “We rank first in Europe in obesity. Moreover, we are the second country with the highest obesity rate among OECD countries after the USA. Although obesity is generally perceived as an adult disease, childhood obesity is unfortunately now a global public health problem.
6 ARTICLE MAIN PLAN
Explaining the road map of IMM in the program held at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Arslan said that; Istanbul Family Counseling and Education Center (İSADEM) shared examples of projects and services such as the trainings, the 'Yürü Be İstanbul' application that encourages action, and the 'Pedalist', where 35 thousand bicycles are made available to students. Stating that they have developed action principles that embrace the society, Arslan listed the 6 main headings of the "Action Plan to Combat Obesity" as follows:
1) Preventing Childhood Obesity
2) Developing Healthy Eating Opportunities
3) Thirdly, Promoting Attitude and Behavior Change Towards Healthy Eating
4) Expanding Active Mobility Infrastructure throughout the City
5) Making Active Mobility a Part of Everyday Life
6) Developing Cooperation for a Healthy Life, Establishing a Monitoring and Follow-up Mechanism
Stating that they aim to establish collaborations that will expand preventive health services, Arslan said, “We call on 16 million Istanbulites, young and old, to take action against obesity. Our goal is to make moving and eating healthy a part of every Istanbulite's life," he said.
CONSULTING SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED
Head of IMM Health Department Önder Yüksel Eryiğit stated that they are working with the 'Healthy Nutrition and Active Life Coordinator', together with all municipal units and stakeholders, to ensure a healthy life for Istanbulites. Noting that they plan to provide consultancy services on healthy nutrition and obesity, Eryiğit said, "We care about the people of Istanbul requesting all the services we have prepared for a healthy life, and making healthy eating and regular physical activity habits a lifestyle."
Be the first to comment