Search Results (31)

Background/Objectives: Maternal dietary behaviors, including meal frequency patterns, may influence fetal growth. This study examined the associations between maternal meal frequency patterns during pregnancy—categorized as structured, moderately irregular, or highly irregular—and neonatal anthropometric outcomes, including weight, length, head, chest, and abdominal circumferences, and Apgar score. A secondary objective was to assess whether maternal education and household income modify these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1025 mother–newborn pairs from a socioeconomically diverse Romanian cohort. Maternal meal frequency patterns were classified based on self-reported weekly consumption. Neonatal anthropometric outcomes were obtained from medical records. Multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics, assessed the associations between meal frequency patterns and birth outcomes. Interaction terms evaluated effect modification by maternal education and income. Results: Structured maternal meal frequency patterns were associated with a slight but significant reduction in neonatal length compared to highly irregular patterns (β = −0.36 cm; 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.04; p = 0.02). A borderline inverse association with birth weight was also observed (β = −63.82 g; 95% CI: −128.87 to 1.23; p = 0.05). No significant differences were found for other anthropometric indicators or Apgar score. Maternal education modified the association between moderately irregular patterns and chest circumference (β = 0.15 cm; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25; p = 0.003), while household income modified the association with abdominal circumference (β = 0.14 cm; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.26; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Maternal meal frequency patterns were modestly associated with neonatal length, while socioeconomic factors modified specific anthropometric outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of considering social context in prenatal nutritional recommendations. Full article

Food waste management is a critical environmental challenge, particularly when organic waste ends up in landfills. This study focuses on the Romanian household food model to understand the composition of food waste and the effectiveness of homemade composters in transforming this waste into quality compost. The findings aim to highlight composting as a viable solution for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water resources. We start from the issue of food waste in landfills and its environmental implications, and the objective is to evaluate the composition of household food waste in Romania and the efficiency of homemade composters. Two samples, namely P1 and P2, of compost were obtained at home using low-cost materials. P1 compost was obtained starting from five waste materials (potato peels, banana peels, orange peels, sawdust, and water), and P2 was prepared starting from nine waste materials (potato peels, banana peels, orange peels, apple peels, apples, cardboard, paper, dried vine leaves, and water). In order to study their potential to be used as fertilizers, various parameters were investigated: pH, aqueous extract conductivity 1:5 Humidity, Ca (mg/kg), Mg (mg/kg), Na (mg/kg), K (mg/kg), Zn (mg/kg), Mn (mg/kg), Cu (mg/kg), particle size (mm), N, C, H, C/N, C/H, N/H content. The final products can be safely used for various household needs, providing a sustainable solution for food waste management. Full article

Single-family residential buildings represent the highest share of building sector in Romania. Their operation emits the most CO₂ into Earth’s atmosphere, as most of them are not energy efficient. A life cycle assessment is performed for a case study building, built in 2019 in Romania, establishing its carbon footprint. For this building CO₂ emissions are 177.55 tCO₂ for the construction stage, 76.19 tCO₂ for the operation stage, 3.55 tCO₂ for the demolition stage, and a total of 129.76 tCO₂ after reducing with the carbon sequestration from vegetation 127.53 tCO₂. The main purpose of this study is to analyse the carbon footprint for a typical single-family Romanian household, with an emphasis on the operational stage. The study compares the results and extrapolates them to all single-family residential buildings in Romania regarding CO₂ emissions, with an emphasis on the operational stage. The results illustrate a considerable reduction in CO₂ emissions from old, high energy consumption buildings to new, low energy consumption buildings. The highest operational stage emissions for old buildings in Romania are 962.94 tCO₂ for firewood heating and 573.69 tCO₂ for gas boiler heating, as those buildings are not insulated and don’t use a heat pump. Additionally, considering the use of photovoltaic panels for the entire lifespan, the CO₂ emissions for the operational stage decrease for the case study building from 76.18 tCO₂ to 19.90 tCO₂. Moreover, using a heat pump detriments firewood or gas boilers, decreasing CO₂ emissions for the operational stage by up to 34% and 26%, respectively. Due to the higher cost of electrical energy compared to natural gas in Romania, gas boilers are more cost-effective than heat pumps. Because of this, and the higher implementation costs, the tendency is towards natural gas. This will in turn result in an increase of CO₂ emission for the entire life cycle of the building by approximate 32% for new buildings and 86% for old, high-energy-consumption buildings. Full article

Background: The global rise in obesity has been significantly influenced by shifts in dietary habits that have been exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in Romanian dietary habits from 2015 to 2023, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of socio-economic factors, seasonality, and cultural practices. Methods: For dietary habits, we used nationally representative data from the Romanian Household Budget Survey provided by the Romanian National Institute of Statistics. The survey includes 30,000 households annually. From the same provider, we downloaded data about potential drivers of food consumption, such as income, the consumer price index, and the unemployment rate. The analysis mixes descriptive statistics and panel data analysis. Among the main drivers, the econometric models include seasonality and regional factors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the changes in dietary behavior. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, daily calorie consumption increased to over 3000 calories per person, representing a 20% increase compared to the pre-pandemic period. Post-pandemic, food consumption remains elevated, averaging 2500–2600 calories per person daily. The pandemic also led to a shift in dietary composition, with significant changes. Thus, we mark an increase in fat (p < 0.001) and carbohydrate intake (p < 0.01) and a decrease in protein intake (p < 0.001). Beyond the presence of health disruptors, we confirm the significant impact of income (p < 0.001) and seasonality (p < 0.001). Other factors like unemployment, the consumer price index, and hidden regional factors have a minor role. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on Romanian dietary habits, reinforcing unhealthy eating patterns that were already prevalent. The sustained increase in calorie consumption, particularly of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods, poses a significant public health challenge. The study also highlights significant seasonal variations, with a marked increase in food intake during the last quarter of the year, driven by cultural and religious traditions. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions and policies that address economic factors and cultural and regional influences to promote healthier dietary behaviors in Romania. Full article

In recent years, EU member states have faced two significant crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and high inflation, exacerbated by geopolitical instability. These events have led to a decline in household purchasing power. Our study aims to quantify the impact of these crises on household income dynamics in Romania, using data from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions and the EUROMOD tax-benefit microsimulation model. We analyze income changes across demographic segments from 2019 to 2021 (COVID-19 period) and 2021 to 2023 (inflation crisis), focusing on household characteristics such as the presence and number of children, the gender of the household head, and the presence of elderly members. Our findings reveal that while disposable income increased from 2019 to 2021, the poorest 10% experienced the smallest gains. In 2022–2023, inflation eroded these increases, and the lower half of the income distribution struggled with reduced earnings and pensions. Despite this, the Gini coefficient for disposable income decreased from 2019 to 2023, indicating a reduced inequality. Our study highlighted that targeted public policy interventions are essential to support vulnerable households and mitigate the effects of economic shocks. Full article

The scourge of food waste (FW) is a significant global challenge, impacting climate change, food security, and the sustainability of agrifood systems. The objective of this paper is to identify, analyze, and understand the factors influencing household consumer behaviors in Romania regarding the reduction of FW. Three primary research objectives were established to assess food consumption behaviors within households, to explore attitudes toward FW, and to understand the motivations for reducing FW along with the measures implemented by households to address this issue. Methodology: Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, designed to investigate consumer behaviors related to the avoidance of FW. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and a linear regression model was developed to evaluate a composite index measuring Romanian consumers’ behavior towards FW reduction. Results: The resulting model identifies key predictors that drive concrete actions to minimize FW, including the desire to mitigate the environmental impact, household conversations about FW and strategies to reduce it, established food routines, the influence of one’s social circle, individual ecological and social responsibility, and the effectiveness of awareness campaigns addressing the consequences of FW. Practical and social implications: The findings highlight the necessity of education and awareness initiatives to shift attitudes and behaviors concerning FW. Future research is warranted to deepen understanding and enhance interventions. Originality: This study represents a pioneering and innovative inquiry into FW behavior in Romania, filling a gap in the existing literature and contributing to the broader discourse on this pressing environmental issue. Full article

Background: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia conorii subsp. conorii, primarily prevalent in Mediterranean and Southern Europe. We aimed to evaluate MSF seroprevalence and risk factors in non-endemic rural areas of Romania. Methods: We conducted a serosurvey in five counties not under MSF surveillance by testing 459 serum samples from adult volunteers for specific IgG antibodies using ELISA. Participants answered a questionnaire regarding demographics and MSF risk factors. Results: The median age of the participants was 60 years and 329 (71.7%) were female. Overall, 64 (13.9%) samples tested positive for IgG anti-R. conorii, with rates ranging from 7.1% in Sibiu to 22.4% in Hunedoara. The median age of the positive individuals was 68 years, with a significantly higher seropositivity rate of 54.7% among those over 65 years (p = 0.01). Among those positive, 53 (82.8%) owned different household animals; 24 (37.5%) had daily contact with dogs, and 27 (42.2%) with livestock; 17 (26.6%) noted tick infestations of animals, and 23 (35.9%) reported tick bites. Conclusions: This study revealed an important seroprevalence of MSF in Romanian areas considered non-endemic, indicating an expansion of its geographical range, probably due to climate change, and emphasizing the importance of enhanced surveillance and diagnostic capabilities nationwide. Full article

(1) Background: Food waste (FW) in Romania is 70 Kg/capita/year, while 70% of food waste comes from public catering, retail services, and households (over 50%–47 million tons). The present study investigates the socio-demographic factors, behaviors, motivations, and attitudes related to food waste management in Romanian households. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform from 15 April 2023 to 15 May 2023. The questionnaire was designed to assess various aspects, such as some socio-demographic information (age, sex, occupation, area of residence, study level, household members number, children <18 years of age); the personal involvement and frequency of food purchases and homemade food cooking; the main sources that generate food waste; the motivation and frequency with which food waste occurs; the level of awareness regarding the impact of food waste; the respondents’ intentions regarding sustainable behaviors and practices for food management; the level of information and familiarity of the respondents with the notions of validity and how these may influence their food consumption decisions. (3) Results: The results show that FW incidence is occasionally (42%), very rarely (43.33%), frequently (15%), and no food waste was reported by 2.66% of respondents. The 35–44 age category records the highest FW frequency, followed by 18–24. The most wasted are homemade food (29.67%), bread and bakery products (27.00%), and fruits and vegetables (14.33%). High involvement in purchasing and buying food following a previously established list reduces FW frequency. The same is valid for high daily involvement in food and homemade cooking. High interest in the FW problem and its perception as a waste of money leads to diminishing it, while guilty feelings increase the FW level (37.50% to 73.33%). (4) Conclusions: The present study shows that household food waste management is a multifactorial process that involves numerous socio-demographic, behavioral, and emotional aspects. Extensive data analysis supports our results, revealing deep self-reported information details and confirming its complex approach. Full article

In emerging countries like Romania, research on food loss and waste remains relatively scarce. This is mainly because the phenomenon, along with its repercussions and ramifications, is inadequately understood by all stakeholders within the agri-food chain. Consumer behaviour, with a specific focus on sustainability and waste reduction, has undergone a noticeable transformation on a global scale. Researchers have been emphasising the imperative for effective awareness and education strategies in this respect. Diverse studies contribute valuable insights into household food behaviour, identifying possible drivers and suggesting counteractive techniques. This study poses inquiries about consumer feelings regarding the food waste phenomenon and perceptions of the Romanian agri-food chain, as well as the influence of education on their awareness and adoption of sustainable eating habits. The paper delineates the semi-structured interview-based methodology, shows results through word-cloud and sentiment analysis, and engages in discussions on consumer behaviour through four distinct clusters, concluding with limitations, managerial implications and outlining future research directions. The findings underscore the relevance of emotions and sentiments in understanding consumer behaviour, shedding light on the nuanced factors influencing food waste. Notably, the accuracy of interpretation is higher when drawn from interviews rather than online comments or reviews made by unknown individuals. This distinction increases the credibility of the insights gained from the qualitative study. By analysing consumer sentiments, the study aids in implementing strategies to improve customer satisfaction and reduce food waste, fostering a more sustainable and consumer-centric approach in the agri-food sector worldwide. Full article

Urban air pollution is one of the major challenges that cities around the world face. Particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO${}_2$), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants are many times over the recommended airborne exposure, generating a strong impact on human health and city well-being. Considering Bucharest as a case study, this study aimed to investigate the patterns of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Multiyear data from the Romanian National Air Quality Monitoring Network were used to investigate spatial and temporal variability. All air pollutants presented a typical bimodal trend during the day, with specific double peaks corresponding to the morning rush hours and nighttime. Spatial variability in NO${}_2$ concentrations was observed, with almost double the concentration values in the city center during midday compared with those for the background and industrial areas. A weekly pattern of PM was noticed, with lower concentrations during the weekends in comparison with those during weekdays, more pronounced in the case of PM${}_{10}$ compared with the case of PM${}_{2.5}$. The fine particle fraction presented monthly and seasonal variability, with higher levels during the cold months compared with the warm months, mainly corresponding to the increased household heating. The estimated proportion of mortality attributable to annual exposure to an air PM${}_{2.5}$ above 5 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/m${}^3$ in Bucharest ranged between 7.55% and 8.26%, with the maximum from 2021. By contrast, the estimated proportion of mortality attributable to PM${}_{10}$ and NO${}_2$ above 10 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/m${}^3$ was significantly lower, with values around 4%. The results are useful in supporting environmental planning measures to decrease urban air pollution. Full article

Romania, like the whole world, is facing a sustainable development challenge that now takes the form of the energy transition towards renewable energy sources. This transition also addresses industrial consumers as well as domestic consumers. The number of household prosumers of electrical energy from renewable sources reached above 63,000 in Romania in 2023, but there is a slowdown in the process with dissatisfaction from residents. The present research covers a gap in the specialty literature by investigating the perception of Romanian residents (from two cities, Oradea and Timișoara) regarding renewable energy sources and the barriers they identify to the adoption of these sources. The research enjoys a consistent sample of 1098 valid responses. The research method is the survey through a questionnaire applied with an operator and the use of a mix of data processing techniques, namely Importance-Performance Analysis with RStudio202207.1+554 and qualitative processing with Atlas.ti22. The results obtained are categorical by corroborating the two methods, which show valid results that express the position of the respondents. Immediate strategic measures that the Romanian state can take to remove barriers and accelerate the process of adopting renewable energy sources are suggested. Full article

The role of social influence (SI) as a determining factor in accepting new technologies has been addressed in several studies using the initial or extended technology acceptance model (TAM). This research uses an adaptation of the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) to analyze the behavioral intention of Romanian consumers regarding the use of energy efficiency smart solutions (EESS) under the effect of social influence. Data were processed with the structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM). The sample consisted of 302 domestic electricity consumers in Romania. The study’s findings show that the respondents’ perceptions of the two social influence dimensions—network of friends, colleagues, or family (SI_FF); and public space (SI_PS)—and their effects on other conceptual model variables are significantly different. The main implications highlight that the proposed model addresses social influence on two levels (SI_FF and SI_PS), to highlight not only the differences in users’ perceptions, but also the main directions in which efforts to promote these technologies should be focused more intensively, in the context of implementing European policies regarding the reduction of energy consumption at the level of household consumers. An important component of the proposed model is the analysis of the role of hedonic motivation constructs, expected performance, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use in mediating the relationship between social influence and behavioral intention to use. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting public health crisis had an enormous impact on the global economy and its sectors. Most components were adversely affected, especially the tertiary industry (the part of a country’s economy that provides services), with different types and sizes of businesses suffering to varying degrees. Reports on the impact on agriculture are not lacking, and the crisis was perceived and responded to differently from the supply chain to the household level. The research question proposed in this paper concerns the impact of the early restrictions induced by COVID-19, namely the lockdown period from March to June 2020, on Romanian agriculture and more precisely Western Romanian crop production. Two counties in the West were selected: the county Timis for its highly favourable agricultural production and the county Caras Severin for its integrative agricultural production centred on mixed farms, where crop production is integrated with animal production towards a higher added value. Using secondary data from the National Agency for Payments and Interventions in Agriculture allowed the disaggregation of data at the level of each municipality for 2019 and 2020. The choice of this dataset was related to the level of precision, as the beneficiaries of direct payments in the respective areas are verified each year for both areas and crops. The paired two-tailed t-test was used to test the data for each LAU 2 municipality in each of the selected counties; as the crops sown in 2019 could not be affected by the COVID lockdown period in spring 2020 (March to June), the most important spring crops in terms of area in 2020 were selected and tested against the 2019 datasets. The results show that there is not enough evidence to conclude a significant statistical difference between the two years, and therefore, we cannot reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the pandemic lockdown did not affect the spring crops during their most restrictive period in spring 2020; thus, the overall influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on crop production in Western Romania was insignificant, observed only at the level of primary production. Spring crop production could have been severely affected by the restrictions imposed by the health crisis on access to certain inputs, freedom of movement for field work, and other activities closely linked to agricultural production, leading to early disruptions along the food chain. Full article

The first desegregation efforts in the marginalised and segregated communities in the Pata-Rât area were carried out within the frames of two social housing projects (between 2014–2017 and 2020–2023). Although a housing first methodology would have been more adequate in the context of a marginalised community, given the shortcomings of the Romanian social assistance system, implementation was impossible. In this context, it was necessary to develop a system to access social housing but also to create a reasonably ‘fair process’ at the community level. Thus, in both interventions, the starting point for developing the social housing criteria was to survey the community in order to explore the community members’ preferences regarding the criteria to be considered in the selection of the beneficiary families for the social houses. The surveys covered all the inhabitants of the Pata-Rât area, that is 219 households in the first survey and 282 households in the second. The survey results served as the basis for the development of the criteria for accessing social housing. In this article, we present and discuss the results of the community surveys from 2016 and from 2020, the year of the pandemic outbreak. Differences were found in the prioritisation of criteria, with an increasing preference for those reflecting vulnerability/needs (e.g., number of children, years spent in the community, disability) and decreasing preference for the ones indicating family resources (e.g., employment, income, education). These differences reflect the increase in poverty and loss of resources occurring in the community during this period, due both to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to the relocation of the 35 better-off families in the first Pata-Cluj project. Full article

Faecal carriage of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-R) Enterobacterales in healthy pets is a concerning issue. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, genetic background, and potential for interspecies transmission of these bacteria between dogs and humans within the same household (HH) or shelter environment in Romania. Faecal samples (n = 263) collected from healthy dogs (n = 102), their owners (n = 32), as well as dogs (n = 110) and staff (n = 19) from dog shelters, were screened for ESC-R carriage. Clonal relatedness of canine and human Escherichia coli isolates was established using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), followed by Illumina WGS of selected isolates. The highest prevalence of ESC-R Enterobacterales faecal carriage was identified in staff working at dog shelters (78.9%), followed by dogs from households (44.11%), dog owners (43.7%), and dogs from shelters (27%). FTIR identified 15 clusters of closely related E. coli isolates, including dog and human isolates from the same environment. Co-carriage of ESC-R isolates in both the dog and owner was identified in 12 HHs (37.5%), with two HHs (6%) having both the owner and dog carrying isolates with identical FTIR spectra, phylogroup, resistance genes, and Inc plasmids. Major ExPEC lineages such as ST127, ST10, ST155, and ST88 were detected in human and dog isolates. Our study revealed a high prevalence of faecal ESC-R E. coli carriage in both dogs and humans from Romanian households and shelters, where bidirectional clonal transmission between humans and dogs is likely. Furthermore, we identified ESC-R Enterobacterales co-carriage in people and dogs sharing the same environment using FTIR, demonstrating its value in AMR surveillance for humans and animals. Full article