Turkey's Controversial Obesity Campaign: Public Scales Spark Debate

Turkey's Public Weigh-In: A Controversial Campaign Against Obesity Turkey recently launched an ambitious campaign to combat its rising obesity rates. The initiative involves placing public scales in various locations, encouraging citizens to weigh themselves. While the government views this as a proactive step towards better public health, many citizens have expressed concerns. "It's a good idea to raise awareness," said one citizen in the video, "but weighing people in public is humiliating and stigmatizing." The campaign, called "Know Your Ideal Weight, Live Healthy," aims to evaluate 10 million people in two months. Those with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 are referred to health centers for nutritional guidance. However, critics argue that this approach is overly simplistic and ignores the complex socioeconomic factors contributing to obesity. Experts point to the high cost of healthy food and the decrease in physical activity due to urbanization as significant factors. The video also highlights the alarming obesity rate in Turkey, currently over 32%, which is still below the 40% rate in the United States. This campaign sparks a debate about public health initiatives and the balance between promoting healthy lifestyles and respecting individual privacy. It underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to address the complex issue of obesity.