Turkish Schools’ Fast Food Reliance Fuels Childhood Obesity Crisis, Experts Warn
Vienna, Austria – September 23, 2025 – A concerning trend of rapidly rising childhood obesity in Türkiye was highlighted at the annual meeting of the European Diabetes Studies Association (EASD) in Vienna today, wiht experts pointing too school canteens as a major contributing factor.The findings reveal Türkiye is facing a uniquely severe crisis compared to other European nations, driven by widespread access to fast food and a lack of nutritious alternatives for students.
Dr.temel Yılmaz, President of the Turkish Diabetes Foundation and an Endocrinology Specialist, presented data indicating a strong link between obesity and insulin resistance, noting that 95 percent of obesity patients experience hormone problems. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are the frist in Europe” in terms of both obesity rates and the rate of increase.
According to official Ministry of Health data from five years ago, 30 percent of children in Türkiye were already overweight, with an additional 10 percent classified as obese. Dr. Yılmaz warned that these numbers are projected to climb, with obesity expected to reach 36 percent and a total of 70 percent of children considered overweight.
A key driver of this alarming trend,Dr. Yılmaz explained, is the prevalence of fast food consumption within schools. An estimated 7 to 10 million children in Türkiye are regularly exposed to fast food through school canteens each year. He pointed out that Türkiye is unusual among european countries in it’s limited provision of hot, healthy meals in primary and secondary education, leading children to develop a preference for processed and packaged foods from a young age.
“The focal point of obesity is bad nutrition,” Dr. Yılmaz stated. “As of primary school,children are getting used to fast food and packaged food.” The reliance on these options, experts say, is creating a generation at risk of developing diabetes and other health complications linked to obesity.
