Authors: Dr. Cătălin Copăescu

Published: October 2024

About

Background

The Obesity Incidence in the Romanian population (RO-OS 2024) study aimed to provide an overview of the expansion of obesity in Romania, not only in terms of the current number of patients affected by this condition but also from the perspective of potential determining factors related to lifestyle or social and economic conditions. The study analyzed the incidence of obesity among the Romanian population aged 10 years and older, from both urban and rural areas.

Methodology

This is a quantitative study, based on a representative sample of 1,000 respondents aged 16 and over, and 115 children aged between 10 and 16. The study is based on 8-minute phone interviews throughout which the following data was collected: weight, height, pathologies associated with obesity, the calculation of the Corporal Mass Index, as well as the socio-demographic profile of the respondent. 

Results

Almost 4 out of 10 people aged 10 and over have a healthy weight, with the rest being at least overweight (nearly 1 in 4 being obese). Compared to the general population, there are more obese individuals aged over 45, married, with low to medium household incomes, or with a low level of education. Among these, men are more prevalent, especially in cases of Grade 1 obesity. Among children aged 10-15, fewer are overweight or obese compared to the total population (16% are obese and another 16% are overweight).

More overweight or obese people are found among: men (66% compared to 61% in the total population over 10 years old), those with low education levels (65%), those living in rural areas (65%), those with low personal income (66%), or inactive individuals—retirees, unemployed, or those staying at home (73%).

22% of the overweight population believes they do not have weight issues, although the Body Mass Index (BMI) indicates otherwise (5% among them being even obese). Those who underestimate their weight are more often found among men, people over 65, those with low education levels, those in rural areas, or skilled/unskilled workers.

Obesity is particularly associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and/or triglycerides, fatty liver, lumbar spondylosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Women, individuals over 45, or those with low incomes tend to suffer more from any measured condition than the general population. All associated conditions have been diagnosed, on average, for at least 4 years, with no differences between people in different BMI categories. People over 65 suffer, on average, for a longer period than the average 16+ population from the following conditions: Type II diabetes (5.5 years vs. 4.8 years), high cholesterol and/or triglycerides (5.3 years vs. 4.1 years), hypertension (6.0 years vs. 5.2 years), lumbar spondylosis (6.1 years vs. 5.6 years), and fatty liver (4.9 years vs. 4.1 years).

Conclusions

The Obesity Incidence in the Romanian population (RO-OS 2024) study shows a great prevalence of obesity and overweight among the Romanian population, as well as a high prevalence of pathologies associated with obesity. Moreover, it highlights various social-economic factors that are connected to weight issues.   

Usage and Citation Guidelines

Any information derived from this study must be used with proper citation to acknowledge the source and maintain academic integrity – Obesity Incidence in the Romanian population Study (RO-OS 2024). Unauthorized use or reproduction of the study’s data, findings, or conclusions without appropriate referencing is prohibited. All users are required to provide proper attribution when referencing any part of the study, in accordance with academic standards and intellectual property rights.

Note

The study was conducted by RSMS – The Romanian Society for Metabolic Surgery and KANTAR Romania.