site.btaBulgaria Ranks Sixth in Europe for Adult Obesity, Fifth for Childhood Obesity - Expert

Bulgaria ranks sixth in Europe for adult obesity and fifth for childhood obesity, Prof. Tsvetalina Tankova, head of the Department of Endocrinology at the Medical University of Sofia, said here on Monday during an event titled (In?)Vincible Pandemics: Obesity, organized by the Obesity Coalition.

Tankova said that obesity is a multifaceted problem and this is perhaps the most serious "health crisis of our time." "It is high time to take action," she added. The problem is global, with 1.5 billion people expected to be overweight within the next decade, the expert noted.

 A 2024 study by Trend agency found that about 40% of Bulgarians have a body mass index above the healthy range, with 25% classified as first-degree obese, 9% as second-degree, and 2% as third-degree obese. Obesity is linked to over 200 other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, malignant diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, excessive screen time, and sleep disturbances are some of the contributing factors. The problem has not only health consequences but also social and economic impacts, the experts warned.

Treatment is complex, Prof. Teodora Handjieva-Darlenska, chairperson of the Bulgarian Association for the Study of Obesity and Related Diseases, said. She stressed the importance of changing eating habits, increasing physical activity, and working with the right specialist to effectively tackle obesity.

Prof. Kiril Karamfilov, head of the cardiology clinic at Alexandrovska Hospital and chairperson of the Society of Cardiologists, said that obesity increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.

Prof. Krasimir Antonov, chairperson of the Bulgarian Society of Gastroenterology, added that obesity poses a threat to liver health.

A holistic approach is a must when treating obesity, Prof. Georgi Momekov, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical University of Sofia, said, adding that there is now "an arsenal of medications with multimodal action."

Arkadi Sharkov, board member of the Obesity Coalition, warned against harmful habits such as excessive drinking and smoking and the morning coffee and cigarettes, which he referred to as "the Balkan breakfast." He noted that obesity’s impact goes beyond individual health and affects society and the economy. Sharkov cited data, according to which in 2024, direct healthcare costs linked to obesity in Bulgaria reached BGN 264 million, with indirect costs from work absences totalling BGN 170.7 million. The economic burden of obesity and related problems was estimated at about BGN 11.9 billion.

Monday's event was opened by Gergana Passy, chair of Pan-Europe Bulgaria and the Obesity Coalition, who noted that the number of overweight people worldwide has tripled since 1975. She added that childhood obesity is projected to increase by 60% over the next decade.