Assessment of Health Behaviour and Risk Factors among Adults in Transylvania

Abstract Lifestyle-related risk factors, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, and alcohol consumption, play an important role in the development of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. However, there is limited up-to-date information available regarding the lifestyle characteristics of the adult population and the distribution of risk factors in Transylvania. The aim of this study was to assess the lifestyle characteristics of adults in Transylvania, with particular emphasis on body weight, dietary habits, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey involving adults aged 18–60 years. Data collection was anonymous and based on self-report, and the results were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Our findings indicate a considerable prevalence of overweight and obesity (38.0%), as well as a high prevalence of smoking (30.9%). Regular daily consumption of fruit (9.9%) and vegetables (20.1%) was relatively low. Sedentary behaviour was common, with 38.8% of respondents reporting more than 7 hours of sitting per day. Alcohol consumption was predominantly occasional, most commonly occurring a few times per month (75.8%). Poor or very poor sleep quality was reported by 20.1% of participants. These findings highlight the widespread presence of lifestyle-related risk factors among adults in the studied population and underscore the need for health promotion programmes and preventive interventions aimed at reducing the burden of chronic and cardiovascular diseases.