A large portion of Turkish society does not exercise regularly or play sports, recent statistics show.
Ali Mumcu, the head of the provincial health directorate based in the central city of Eskişehir, said more than 65 percent of Turkish men and 77 percent of Turkish women do not exercise, a serious problem that is leading to physical and psychological health problems.
Moreover, around 72 percent of Turks in total do not exercise on a regular basis. Among young children between the ages of six and 11, almost 60 percent do not exercise. Mumcu said studies suggest that the lack of physical activity plays a significant role in developing diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and is a major element in obesity.
"Physical activity reduces blood pressure, increases [high-density lipoprotein cholesterol] HDL and is key to controlling weight," he added. Mumcu recommends engaging in physical activity for 30 minutes per day, five days a week.
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