Obesity is recognized as a public health issue worldwide, responsible for approximately 44% of type II diabetes cases, 23% of heart diseases, and between 7% and 41% of certain types of cancer. Studies show that in the Republic of Moldova, nearly a quarter of the population is obese, with no significant differences between genders. These findings were presented by the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP) in the context of World Obesity Day, observed on March 4, IPN reports.
According to the latest STEPS study (2021) on non-communicable disease risk factors in Moldova, six out of ten adults (63.9%) are overweight, with 70.8% being men and 57% being women.
Additionally, the 2022 HBSC study (on health behaviors in school-aged children) revealed that 16% of adolescents aged 11-17 were overweight, while 4.4% were obese. ANSP notes that the rate of overweight adolescents has increased by four percentage points compared to the previous study (from 12% in 2018 to 16% in 2022), while obesity rates rose from 3% to 4.4%.
Experts emphasize that obesity is a chronic, recurrent disease caused by complex interactions between behavioral, genetic, environmental, and social factors. It is not a personal failure or a lack of willpower. Excess weight or a high Body Mass Index (BMI) are not the only indicators of obesity, and even after weight loss, the factors contributing to obesity can still persist.
To prevent weight gain and maintain a healthy weight, experts recommend:
Limiting energy intake from fats and sugars;
Reading food labels carefully when shopping;
Consuming at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily;
Eating two to three servings of whole grains daily;
Including two to three servings of legumes per week;
Engaging in regular physical activity;
Planning weekly meals and making a pre-set shopping list.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that by 2035, one in four children and around 1.9 billion adults worldwide will suffer from obesity.
