Food and nutrition policies: what's being done in Turkey

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the present paper is to describe the development of the National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NPAFN) for Turkey.DesignAccess to a safe and healthy variety of food, a fundamental human right, was stressed by the International Conference on Nutrition and by the World Food Summit. In the International Conference on Nutrition in December 1992, one major commitment was the preparation of NPAFN. The NPAFN for Turkey was designed according to this commitment.SettingTurkey.ResultsTo this end, under the coordination of the State Planning Organization, a Working Committee Report for National Food and Nutrition Strategy of Turkey was prepared and published, with the participation of different sectors. The goal of the prepared National Food and Nutrition Strategy for Turkey is to protect and promote health through and healthy nutrition and reduce the burden of diseases, while contributing to socio-economic development and a sustainable food security.ConclusionIn Turkey the NPAFN was developed and implementation has initiated. Nearly for all the actions, related projects are being developed.

Malnutrition and Cardiometabolic Risk among Turkish Adolescents: a Public Health Concern during Epidemiological Transition

“…With respect to nutritional status, Turkey is facing problems of a developing and developed country simultaneously. The nutritional status of the Turkish general population varies significantly exhibiting a high heterogeneity directed by several parameters such as regional geography, socio-economic status (SES), urban-rural settlement, inequality of income, and lack of nutrition education among others [15].…”

“…Nonetheless, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Balance Sheets, the general population in Turkey appears to be generally well nourished (FAOSTAT, 1999). However, available data indicate that both obesity and CVD are common problems among Turkish adults [15]. In this regard understanding the nutritional behavior and status of adolescents and the relevant trends in relation to risk factors for chronic disease such as weight and metabolic profile, are key for better public health outcomes in the future.…”

The Nutrition Transition in Turkey: Trends in Energy and Macronutrients Supply from 1961 to 2011

“…As a result of that situation, Turkey has a view gathering the problems of both developing and developed countries in terms of nutrition. Thus, the nutrition status of Turkey has significant differences and unequal distribution according to the regions and rural or urban, residential areas (5,28). In the Household Food Wastage in Turkey Report of FAO (26), which has a supporting nature of this fact, its stated that the energy and nutrient element intake levels of the individuals change according to their socio-economic levels, especially the protein intake of the individuals with high, middle and low socio-economic levels were different (76.5±45.05 g, 71.7±34.57 g, 64.9±55.26 g respectively).…”

“…According to the results of studies conducted in that scope, it is stated that the nutrition conditions and health problems of Turkish population have a view reflecting the problems of both the developing and the developed countries (4,5). For example, obesity frequency in Turkey is increasing day by day as it is in the other countries throughout the world.…”

“…According to the results obtained from various studies, anaemia is observed at around 50% of children between 0-5 years old, 30% of school age children, 50% of pregnant women. Growth and development retardation, rachitics, vitamin deficiency, iodine deficiency and tooth decay are common health problems among children between 0 and 5 years of age, school age children and adolescents in Turkey (5).…”