Each second Moldovan is overheavy or obese. Obesity is mainly typical of women than of men and becomes more accentuated with age. The sedentary way of life is one of the reasons. This is characteristic of almost 60% of the population older than 15.
50% of Moldovans weigh more than normal
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.
“Overall, almost 50% of Moldova’s population is too fat. The number of obese people is increasing slowly, by 1% a year,” said Gheorghe Caradja. The persons who go to a doctor for treatment usually weigh more than 150 kg. In 30 years of work, his heaviest patient weighted 280 kg.
Lack of eating culture leads to obesity
“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,” stated Gheorghe Caradja.
He added that the obese persons go to see a doctor too late, when the disease is at an advanced state. These are brought by relatives when they cannot walk and understand that they are a burden for their relations. In rural areas, obesity is more often met because not many know what a healthy lifestyle is. 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 the doctor.
Surgical treatment is radical
Gheorghe Caradja recommends fighting obesity without surgery. The patients who follow a dietary regime lose weight slowly and improve their state of health. Those who use surgery get rid of the surplus of weight and fat faster, but expose themselves to the risk of developing serious health problems. “It does not mean that if they undergo surgery they lose weight and that’s all. They also have to follow an eating regime. The surgical treatment is radical as the wanted weight is reached swifter,” said the endocrinologist. He noted that only the endocrinologist treats obesity and a surgeon should be consulted only when the endocrinologist recommends.
According to Gheorghe Caradja, 60% of his patients lose weight by following a regimen, while 40% give up because they do not have willpower.
The doctor considers a national strategy and a plan of action for reducing obesity among the population are required.
Maria Procopciuc, IPN reporter
