RESUMO
CONTEXT: Four major modifiable behavioral risk factors are considered responsible for the current burden of the non-communicable diseases: tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and excessive alcohol consumption. Limited data on the lifestyle habits in Romanian population is currently available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the eating patterns and physical activity habits and other lifestyle components in various age groups in the population included in the ORO study. DESIGN: ORO was a cross-sectional, epidemiologic, multicenter non-interventional study conducted from January 2014 until August 2014 in 8 study centers spread in the main historical regions of Romania. RESULTS: Eating 3 meals/day every day was more frequently reported in the 60-79 years and ≥ 80 years age groups (53.0% and 51.7%) than in the 18-39 years and 40-59 years age groups (26.8% and 35.8%), p <0.001. The frequency of eating breakfast every day increased with age from 43.5% in the youngest age group to 79.3% in the oldest one (p <0.001). Intense and moderate leisure-time physical activity was more frequent among participants in the 18- 39 years age group. Leisure time physical activities were associated with younger age groups, male sex, rural area, higher educational level and non-smoking status. Regular breakfast and regular consumption of 3 meals/day was associated with older age group, male sex and non-smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed a high frequency of unhealthy lifestyle habits among the younger age groups as compared to the older ones, with the highest frequency of these unhealthy behavior reported in the 18-39 years age group.