In the Republic of Moldova, about 50% of the persons older than 18 are overweight or obese. The number of obese persons is higher in urban areas and the obese persons are mainly female. The data were provided by the National Public Health Agency in connection with the European Obesity Day that is celebrated each third Saturday of May, IPN reports.

The statistics refer to 2013, being the last available data. In a press release, the Agency said obesity grows proportionally to age, from 1% in the 18-24 age bracket to 25% in the 45-65 age bracket, and then decreases. Obesity is due to the low consumption of fruit and vegetables, according to doctors. 66.6% of the Moldovans eat less than five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The sedentary way of life is typical for almost 60% of Moldova’s population older than 15%.

Earlier, in an interview for IPN, Doctor of Medical Sciences and university lecturer Gheorghe Caradja, endocrinologist at the National Clinical Hospital, said 20-25% of the Moldovans are overweight, which is their weight is by up to 10% higher than the normal weight. If the weight is by over 10% higher than the norm, the person is obese. In Moldova, 25-30% of the people are obese.

The doctor said the people become obese because they do not have an eating culture. They eat a lot two-three times a day, but do not nosh five times a day, as it is recommended, every three hours. One should have the last snack four hours before going to sleep. The risk of obesity grows with age because metabolism slows down. “When I have elderly patients I tell them: you eat as in adolescence, but move as at an old age,” said Gheorghe Caradja.

According to him, the number of obese people rises slowly, by 1% a year. The persons who go to a doctor for treatment usually weigh more than 150 kg.