PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN A ROMA POPULATION FROM SOUTHERN ROMANIA - CALARASI COUNTY
G Enache1,2, E Rusu1,3, A Ilinca1
1"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Acta Endocrinologica (Bucharest, Romania : 2005)
|June 1, 2019
Summary
Obesity rates are high in Southern Romania, particularly among the Roma population. Sedentary lifestyles and family history are key factors, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs in vulnerable groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Obesity prevalence is a growing concern in the European Union, with national data potentially masking higher rates in disadvantaged communities.
- Disparities in health outcomes may exist within Romania, necessitating localized studies.
- The Roma population represents a significant ethnic minority in Romania, often facing socioeconomic challenges that can impact health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity specifically within the Roma population in Southern Romania.
- To compare obesity rates between the Roma population and ethnic Romanian Caucasians in the same region.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in these distinct population groups.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted between March 2014 and May 2017.
- Data collection involved interviews, medical history, lifestyle assessments, anthropometric measurements, and fasting glucose tests.
- The study included 1120 adult participants, with a focus on 735 individuals from the Roma population and a comparison group of Romanian Caucasians.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of obesity was 45.2% in the Roma group and 43.9% in the Romanian Caucasian group.
- Sedentary lifestyle and current smoking were significant predictors of obesity in Romanian Caucasians.
- In the Roma population, sedentary lifestyle increased obesity odds, while primary education, rural living, and being a current smoker decreased them. Family history of obesity was significantly associated with obesity only in the Roma group.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a high prevalence of obesity in both Roma and Romanian Caucasian populations in Southern Romania.
- Risk factors for obesity differ between the groups, with sedentary behavior being a common concern.
- Targeted public health interventions are crucial for high-risk populations, addressing malnutrition, health literacy, and socioeconomic factors.
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