Healthcare: Study: Almost a third of young Romanians are overweight or obese

  * The percentage, much higher among men.   Almost a third of young Romanians are overweight or obese, says an extensive study conducted by the Romanian Dietetics Association with the support of Nestlé Romania. The survey provides an unprecedented radiography of the lifestyle and eating habits among young people between the ages of 18 and 30 in Romania, the so-called Generation Z.   Supporting this study is part of Nestlé’s efforts to help promote a healthy lifestyle locally, starting with understanding the needs of different generations.   “In this study, we have an extremely valuable radiography of the lifestyle and diet among Generation Z, predominantly from urban areas. Such studies, especially if correlated with other statistical data, can help evaluate the health status of this age group at a national level, as well as the development of social, medical and professional policies, because we are talking about a generation at the beginning of their professional careers,” explains Nicoleta Tupita, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Manager Nestlé Romania, Bulgaria and the Adriatic Countries.   “Generation Z is not only the most connected generation, but also one at the crossroads between healthy food choices and increasing risks associated with modern lifestyles. Our study provides us with a solid basis for developing preventive measures and interventions adapted to the current realities of this generation, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities that define their nutritional and daily behaviours. Moreover, young Romanians show a high interest in informed choices, highlighted by a percentage of over 85% of respondents who read product labels at least occasionally. It is essential to capitalize on this increased interest of young people, transforming these trends into concrete levers for promoting a healthy lifestyle,” stated Dr. Laura Gavrilas, Nutritionist – Registered Dietitian, University Lecturer at the “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca.   The study revealed that most participants (60.8%) have a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the normal range, but approximately 32.5% are overweight or obese. The distribution of BMI highlights significant differences between the sexes: 68% of women fall into the normal weight category, while 42% of men are overweight or have varying degrees of obesity.   “It is worrying that one in three young people are overweight or obese, this percentage being much higher among men. Among the dietary factors correlated with an increased BMI are the frequent consumption of carbonated drinks, cold cuts, red meat and sweets. In addition, only 46% of all respondents reach their recommended level of weekly physical activity,” explained Laura Gavrilas.   Thus, 9.4% of respondents said they did not do any physical activity, 44.5% said they did not do enough physical activity, i.e. less than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, and 46.1% did enough physical activity, i.e. more than 150 minutes per week.   The overwhelming majority of respondents (95.1%) said they followed an omnivorous dietary pattern, consuming foods of all types, including meat, dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables and grains. Predominantly plant-based dietary patterns were rare: 1.8% reported a pescetarian pattern, while 1.6% said they were vegan, 1.4% vegetarian, and only 0.1% followed a raw vegan diet.   Also, almost 93% of respondents consumed 2 or 3 main meals per day. Women tend to follow the classic 3-meal structure more strictly, while men more frequently report consuming 4 or more meals (5.78% vs. 1.59%). The differences are statistically significant, suggesting possible variations in daily eating habits between the sexes.   Asked if the results of this study will materialize in another separate national project focused on the 18-30 age group, Irina Siminenco, Corporate Affairs Manager Nestlé Romania told Romania Journal that the company focuses on two directions: “First, it is a way in which we can integrate these results into the profiles of the students and adapt our product portfolio and the projects we are working on in order to meet their needs. And secondly, from an educational point of view, each project in the school we are working on can benefit from the results we have obtained and to adapt both the message and the tools they need, in order to reach a more balanced level.”   At the same time, Irina Siminenco revealed that there is a positive feedback in Romania’s schools regarding the healthy life style Nestlé is promoting through its foundations.   “The message is easily absorbed at a younger age, through the direct actions in schools. With teenagers, other problems have to be put aside. What they learn at school is no longer so relevant, because they do not necessarily think that it is a credible source of information for their age. So we communicate with them on other channels,” she added.   “We will continue to explore the lifestyle and eating habits of young people in order to understand, at least at an exploratory level, how Generation Z lives, works, relaxes and sleeps, and especially what they eat, the one we now rely on so much when talking about the future of Romania”, concluded Nicoleta Tupita, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Manager Nestlé Romania, Bulgaria and the Adriatic Countries.   The study “Assessment of lifestyle and eating habits among young people aged 18 to 30 in Romania”, was conducted between February 3 and May 11, 2025, on a sample of 1205 participants from Romania, of whom 47% were women and 53% were men, the average age of the group being a little over 23 years old.