Bulgaria is facing a growing obesity crisis, with experts warning that unreliable national data and institutional neglect are concealing the true scale of the problem.
According to paediatrician and obesity researcher Dr Tanya Andreeva, Bulgarian children rank among the top in Europe for overweight and obesity — trailing only North Macedonia, Malta, and Portugal. The issue is particularly alarming among children aged 11 to 13, where 37% of boys and 24% of girls are classified as obese.
However, Andreeva told Euractiv that the data itself is far from complete. “A worrying finding in the WHO report is that more than 30% of Bulgaria’s data is missing,” she said, underscoring a national failure to monitor and address one of the country’s fastest-growing health concerns.
In October, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) published a report titled “A Blueprint for Action to Address Obesity in the EU.” It urged the European Commission to promote data-sharing and consistent measurement across Member States to track obesity rates and policy effectiveness.
Yet Bulgaria’s capacity to contribute remains limited. “The prevalence of childhood obesity varies between 4% and 32%, depending on the methodology used,” Andreeva explained, citing the absence of unified national standards. This inconsistency makes it impossible to track trends or design targeted interventions.
Health experts stress that early identification is crucial for preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. “Controlling obesity is not just a health issue—it’s a preventive strategy with long-term social and economic benefits,” Andreeva emphasized.
The economic toll is staggering. According to the report “(Un)Defeated Pandemics – Obesity,” Bulgaria’s obesity-related costs exceed €3.25 billion annually, representing 4.7% of the nation’s GDP—the highest share globally. Without decisive action, that figure could rise above 7% by 2060.
Direct medical expenses, including treatment and reimbursed medication, surpassed €130 million in 2024, with total economic losses nearing €6 billion, Andreeva noted.
A UNICEF report also lists Bulgaria among the European countries with the highest childhood obesity levels, confirming that nearly one in three Bulgarian children is overweight.
“Investing in obesity prevention should not be seen as a cost but as an economic investment with long-term returns,” Andreeva argued.
EU researchers project that by 2030, more than 30% of Europeans will live with obesity, and without coordinated EU action, the financial burden could reach €1.6 trillion. For Bulgaria, the fight against obesity begins with the collection of accurate, reliable data—something experts say is long overdue.