INTERVIEW: 7 out of 10 adults in Romania have weight problems. Why do we regain the pounds after losing weight?

Obesity has become a critical public health issue in Romania, with alarming statistics revealing that around 70% of adults are either overweight or obese, and nearly 40% fall into the obese category as of 2025. This trend is not merely a consequence of lifestyle choices but is recognized as a chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease.

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Obesity is a chronic, non-communicable, progressive, and relapsing disease and represents a real public health problem.

Professor Dr. Cătălina Poiană explains that obesity is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including biological, genetic, hormonal, psychological, and environmental elements. This multifaceted nature makes weight management exceptionally challenging, often leading to weight regain after initial loss. The problem is compounded by insufficient sleep, stress, and environmental factors that promote sedentary behavior.

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Today, globally, there are over one billion people suffering from obesity. In this figure are approximately 880 million adults and about 160 million children and adolescents.

Globally, the situation is equally concerning. Over one billion people worldwide are currently affected by obesity, a figure projected to surge to 1.9 billion by 2035, meaning one in four people could be obese. Childhood obesity is also on a steep upward trajectory, with an estimated 100% increase by 2035 compared to 2020 levels. In Romania, over 300,000 children aged 5-9 and more than 460,000 aged 10-19 are overweight or obese, facing potential complications like hypertension and metabolic dysfunction from an early age.

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But perhaps the most worrying is the trend, which is upward, because it is estimated that somewhere around the year 2035 this figure will reach towards 1.9 billion.

Professor Poiană highlights that for the first time in history, children with obesity outnumber those who are underweight. This shift underscores the urgency of addressing the epidemic, which requires comprehensive strategies beyond simple advice on diet and exercise. Romania, like the rest of the world, faces a significant challenge in reversing this trend and mitigating the severe health consequences associated with excess weight.

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And perhaps equally worrying is the fact that childhood obesity is also registering significant increases.