Organized by the Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolism Association, “42. Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Congress ”is held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An online press conference was held within the scope of the congress.
Speaking at the meeting, President of the Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolism Association Prof. Dr. Stating that obesity is the second most important cause of preventable deaths after smoking, “Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, various cancers, obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome, fatty liver, reflux, bile The disease causes many health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, osteoarthrosis and depression. According to 2020 data, 40% of the adult population in the world is above normal weight. The rate of overweight in childhood is very high, with 20%. The World Health Organization has defined obesity as an epidemic (ie epidemic). In our country, the prevalence of obesity is gradually increasing in both adults and children and adolescents. 32% of our adult population consists of individuals with obesity, the highest rate in Europe. Obesity develops as a result of the accumulation of extra energy in the body as fat. Obesity definition and grading is determined according to body mass index (BMI). BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m2) is evaluated with the formula. A BMI of 30 is compatible with obesity. " said.
Obesity patients should be included in the priority vaccination group.
"Studies conducted in the process of the Covid-18 pandemic, which has affected the world for about 19 months, show that approximately half of those hospitalized due to Covid-19 have obesity, in other words, the disease is severe enough to require hospitalization in those with obesity." Saygılı stated that he continued as follows:
“Generally speaking, Covid-19 is more severe in the elderly. The advantage of being young is not experienced in obese individuals; The incidence of Covid-19 is increasing in young people with obesity. A study published in early May 2021 shows that the course of Covid-19 in men with obesity is worse than in women with obesity. (In men with BMI≥35 and women with BMI≥40, 2.3 and 1.7 times more deaths associated with Covid-19 were recorded than individuals with normal BMI, respectively). Complications due to obesity further aggravate the course of the disease. People with chronic diseases have trouble getting the proper care they need due to the pandemic. Among the difficulties faced by people with obesity during the pandemic process; quarantine measures reduce physical activity, use more processed foods instead of fresh products, and failure to follow up regularly. In this process, individuals with obesity should be taught proper nutrition principles, home exercises, breathing exercises, and should be advised to come to the light of day. This group can be considered risky for the pandemic we are experiencing and can be prioritized in vaccination. "
There are approximately 20 million obese individuals in Turkey
Board Member of the Association, Prof. Dr. Alper Sönmez said that there are problems in obesity treatment in Turkey. Sönmez pointed out that there are approximately 20 million obese individuals in our country and that only one out of every 3 adults is at a healthy weight, while the other two have overweight or obesity, and spoke about the common beliefs that make treatment difficult:
“Obesity is the main cause of many chronic diseases. When we solve the obesity problem, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea, asthma, some cancers (especially breast, uterus, colon, pancreas, prostate, kidney), fatty liver and chronic liver diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, depression and we can prevent many more chronic diseases. Although obesity is a chronic disease, neither healthcare professionals nor our public see obesity as a disease. Obesity treatment requires an experienced team and the cooperation of healthcare professionals from different disciplines. Miracle diets without scientific basis, miracle herbs, miracle drugs or miracle surgical methods are recommended to obese patients, obesity patients are abused.
Diabetes is a chronic and non-contagious pandemic
Board Member of the Association, Prof. Dr. Mine Adaş also stated that when diabetes and Covid-19 are mentioned, an epidemic can be talked about in an epidemic, and gave the following information:
“There is a two-way interaction between diabetes and Covid-19. Covid-19 is more severe in diabetics, disrupting glycemic control, and diabetes aggravates the Covid-19 clinic. Diabetes is generally associated with obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases. Diabetic kidney disease is one of the major complications of diabetes. In addition, poor glycemic control has a negative effect on the immune system. All of these are effective in the poor prognosis of the Covid-19 clinic in diabetics. In addition, staying at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, limitation of movement, disruption of diet, negative effects of stress-related hormones on blood sugar, and the increase in blood sugar of steroids used in the treatment of Covid-19 are the negative effects of Covid-19 on diabetes. "
Stating that during the epidemic period, patients with reports did not have a problem in accessing their medicines, but the fact that patients were hesitant to apply to the hospital with the concern of contamination caused disruption of the controls, said that they have recently encountered patients whose blood sugar control has been severely impaired.
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