Romania
High income
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *7/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *7/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
Report cards
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Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Sugar consumption
Soft drink consumption
Confectionery consumption
Sweet/savoury snack consumption
Fruit consumption
Vegetable consumption
Processed meat consumption
Grains consumption
Depression
Anxiety
Roots of obesity »
Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.Breastfeeding
Unaffordable diet
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 16+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Notes: | EUROSTAT 2022 data derived from EU statistics on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) survey which includes adults aged 16+ years. This differs from most EUROSTAT data which is derived from the Health Interview Surveys, which includes adults aged 15+ years (though sometimes only data from adults aged 18+ reported) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2022
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25-64 |
| Sample size: | 5380 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | "Ancheta europeană de evaluare a stării de sănătate prin examinare" - RAPORT FINAL ROMÂNIA (European Health Examination Survey - Final Romania Report). Ministerul Sănătății, Promotorul Proiectului - Institutul Național de Sănătate Publică https://insp.gov.ro/2024/08/05/ancheta-starii-de-sanatate-a-populatiei-adulte-din-romania/ [Accessed 15.07.25] |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2019
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2017
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2014
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2012-2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-79 |
| Sample size: | 2681 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Popa S, Mota M, Popa A et al. Prevalence of overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome and atypical cardiometabolic phenotypes in the adult Romanian population: PREDATORR study. J Endocrinol Invest DOI 10.1007/s40618-016-0470-4 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2000-2003
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 2100 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 25+ |
| Sample size: | 7547 |
| References: | WHO Infobase. Official report from national government office/ministry. Mr. Aurel Camara. President, National Institute for Statistics |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 9014 |
| References: | WHO infobase. Official report from national government office/ministry. Mr. Aurel Camara. President, National Institute for Statistics |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2022-2024
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 7 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI): A brief review of results from round 6 of COSI (2022-2024). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2022-2023
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-19 |
| Sample size: | 2173 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | EVALUAREA STĂRII DE SĂNĂTATE COPII - EHES raport (CHILD HEALTH ASSESSMENT - EHES report). - Ministerul Sănătății, Promotorul Proiectului - Institutul Național de Sănătate Publică. https://www.insmc.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/EHES-01-9535-V9.0_Final.pdf [Accessed 15.07.25] |
| Notes: | Sample size given is for ages 1-19, this data only includes ages 5-19 |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2018-2020
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 4055 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Report on the fifth round of data collection, 2018–2020: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2022. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO 2007 |
Children, 2015-2017
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 3510 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) Report on the fourth round of data collection, 2015–2017 (2021). Available at: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/activities/who-european-childhood-obesity-surveillance-initiative-cosi/cosi-publications/who-european-childhood-obesity-surveillance-initiative-cosi-report-on-the-fourth-round-of-data-collection,-20152017-2021. Accessed 19.05.21. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2012-2013
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 8 |
| Sample size: | 4274 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Spinelli et al (2019). 'Childhood Severe Obesity in Europe', Obes Facts.12, pp. 244–258. (Data from COSI round 1-3) |
| Notes: | NOTE - this data is from COSI round III (2012/2013) IOTF cut-offs used. |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2008-2012
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-10 |
| Sample size: | 3444 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Mocanu V. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in urban elementary school children in northeastern Romania: its relationship with socioeconomic status and associated dietary and lifestyle factors.Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:537451. doi: 10.1155/2013/537451. Epub 2013 Jul 14. |
| Notes: | IOTF International Cut off points Northern East Romania |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 2006-2015
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-18 |
| Sample size: | 23,893 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Chirita-Emandi et al. (2016). Overweight and Underweight Prevalence Trends in Children from Romania – Pooled Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies between 2006 and 2015. Obesity Facts. 9. pp. 206-220. |
| Notes: | (12,157 females/11,736 males) IOTF cut-offs used however WHO cut-off data also available. Survey start date 2006-2015 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
0-5 years, 2002
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 15456 |
| References: | Surveillance: National nutritional surveillance programme, 1993-2002. Bukarest, Romania, 2003 (2002 Extract) |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2001
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 22550 |
| References: | Surveillance: National nutritional surveillance programme, 1993-2002. Bukarest, Romania, 2003 (2001 Extract) |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 2000
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 22147 |
| References: | Surveillance: National nutritional surveillance programme, 1993-2002. Bukarest, Romania, 2003 (2000 Extract) |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1999
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 21027 |
| References: | Surveillance: National nutritional surveillance programme, 1993-2002. Bukarest, Romania, 2003 [1999 Extract] |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
0-5 years, 1991
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Sample size: | 10957 |
| References: | NNS: Romania National Nutrition Survey 1991 |
| Notes: | UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database: Overweight (Survey Estimates), May 2023, New York. For more information about the methodology, please consult https://data.unicef.org/resources/jme-2023-country-consultations/ Percentage of children under 5 years of age falling above 2 standard deviations (moderate and severe) from the median weight-for-height of the reference population. |
| Definitions: | =>+2SD |
% Adults living with obesity in Romania (Eurostat), 2000-2022
Men
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men and women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Romania (Eurostat), 2000-2022
Men
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Men and women
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| References: | 2000: Eurostat Yearbook 2006/07. A goldmine of statistical information. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/5059290/1-20022007-BP-EN.PDF.pdf/edab8c31-b9f3-4c8e-b4db-4137bd045efa?t=1414683510000 (last accessed 04.11.21) 2014: 2014 Eurostat Database:http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1e&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2017: 2017 - EUROSTAT Database http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_hch10&lang=en (last accessed 25.08.20) 2019: Eurostat 2019. Data available at https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_bm1i&lang=en (last accessed 09.08.21) 2022: Eurostat 2022 Data. Available at https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch10/default/table?lang=en (last accessed 19.03.25) |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
