01.06.2026 13:31
Yağız Bekte, who reached 90 kilograms at age 5 due to congenital leptin hormone deficiency in Samsun, dropped to 40 kilograms at age 11 thanks to special treatment. He can now play games and participate in activities like his peers.
Yagiz Bekte, who was born in Samsun with a congenital leptin hormone deficiency that prevented him from feeling full and reached 90 kilograms by age 5, dropped to 40 kilograms by age 11 thanks to treatment. The child, who once had difficulty even walking, can now play and participate in activities with his peers.
HE WAS ONCE CONNECTED TO A RESPIRATORY DEVICE
11-year-old Yagiz Bekte, the second child of Sedat (44) and Sevda Bekte (35), a couple living in Samsun's Tekkeköy district, gained weight rapidly from infancy due to a congenital leptin hormone deficiency. Reaching 32 kilograms at just 1.5 years old, Yagiz weighed 37 kilograms at age 2 and 55 kilograms at age 3. With his weight climbing to 90 kilograms by age 5, the child had to be connected to a respiratory device for a period due to his excess weight.
Yagiz's life, who received a special treatment approved by the Ministry of Health, changed when the treatment yielded positive results. Starting to lose weight steadily in 2022, Yagiz dropped to 40 kilograms by age 11, reaching the same height-weight index as his peers. Able to go out and have fun with friends for the first time, Yagiz enjoys participating in various activities and does not miss the chance to ride an adrenaline-filled zip coaster.
"I COULDN'T WALK BEFORE BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT"
4th-grade student Yagiz Bekte, stating that he previously could not participate in activities like his peers due to his excess weight from his illness and was very sad about it, said, "I was very heavy before. Now I am quite fine. I couldn't join any activities before. I couldn't walk because I was so heavy. Now my weight is fine. I couldn't do the activities my friends did before, but now I can. I am very happy about this."
"YAGIZ USED TO GET SAD AND CRY WHEN HE SAW HIS FRIENDS"
Father Sedat Bekte, expressing that Yagiz reaching the same weight as his peers is a great source of happiness for both Yagiz and themselves, stated, "Yagiz went through very difficult times. He was very heavy. He needed special treatment to lose weight, and he is receiving it. Now he has successfully lost weight. He has started participating in activities like his peers. Yagiz is about to turn 11. It is a good feeling to see him like this. Before, we couldn't go places or travel. Yagiz would always cry and get sad when he saw his friends. He would cry, 'Why can't I go?' Now, this has become a great gift for him. Now he can play on all the courses. Yagiz's treatment will continue for monitoring purposes. Yagiz has been losing weight healthily since 2022. His ministry-approved treatment is going well."
It was learned that Yagiz Bekte, who continues his life under doctor supervision, will need lifelong treatment.