Four million Romanians are struggling with a "disease for which we do nothing" and are being blamed for it. What is this disease?

Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

HotNews

Romania faces a severe obesity epidemic; lack of integrated care and stigma hinder treatment despite its high prevalence.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Romania has a significant obesity rate of 22.5%, and it is noted as the only country with an integrated obesity treatment center, while also struggling with social stigma surrounding the condition. Obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic disease, yet medical professionals report severe gaps in the public healthcare system for proper, interdisciplinary treatment for those who cannot afford private care. The single integrated center in Timișoara offers comprehensive care from various specialists. Experts emphasize that obesity should be viewed as a complex biological illness, not merely a result of lifestyle choices, and that effective treatment requires personalized approaches addressing genetic, psychological, social, and environmental factors. Projections indicate rising rates globally, with calls for greater political commitment in Romania to establish national prevention programs and improve healthcare education regarding this epidemic. International comparisons show other European nations are also grappling with high obesity rates, prompting discussions on shifting focus from costly treatment to preventative medicine.

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