Background and Objectives: This study aims to assess the health status and factors influencing healthy choices among children and young people in Romania, as well as the efficacy of related health education programs. Through understanding these dynamics, the study seeks to provide insights that can shape targeted interventions, policies, and educational strategies to improve this demographic’s overall health and well-being. Materials and Methods: For this study, we performed a literature review of original published papers on the health status, healthy habits, health education, predisposition to making healthy choices in the future, and accessibility to the paediatric health system of Romanian children and young people, as well as the effects of different types of educational interventions on this demographic in Romania. Results: The prevalence of dental caries is high in Romania. In terms of eating habits and nutritional status, a worrying proportion of children are overweight or obese, which can lead to a variety of future physical and psychological problems. In terms of physical activity, few adolescents demonstrate regular fitness practices. Romania presents an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents. The mental health of students has become a pressing public health concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of social networks is linked to mental health issues among young people. Romania still has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases and faces a high incidence of cervical cancer, with a mortality rate three times higher than the EU average. High rates of teenage pregnancies are linked to limited information about sexuality and a lack of access to family planning at a young age. There are large discrepancies in the accessibility of medical services between urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Romania faces significant obstacles to providing high-quality healthcare to children and young people. Improving nutrition, immunisation rates, and access to medical services represent essential areas for enhancing the health of children and young people in Romania.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the lifestyle and the behavioral factors that influence the nutritional status of adolescents from Transylvania, Romania. Methods: The Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was used to collect data from 900 adolescents between 11 and 18 years old from the Transylvania region, Romania. This study assessed nutritional status by calculating BMI indicators adjusted to Z-Score, cut-off points according to the World Health Organization (WHO), using self-reported weight and height; perceived health status; food vulnerability; physical activity; addictive behaviors (cigarette, alcohol and drug consumption); number of hours spent in front of the computer/phone; hand and oral hygiene; sitting time/day; and sleep. Multivariate logistic regression was used to establish the lifestyle factors that influenced nutritional status. Results: The results showed that 8.7% (n = 78) of girls and 15.2% (n = 137) boys were overweight and obese. In total, 75% of the respondents were engaged in sedentary behaviors, and 65.8% (n = 592) had more than 2 h/day of screen exposure, considering that 98.7% of the study population had a mobile phone. The Romanian adolescents had poor dietary behaviors: over 80% of them did not meet the recommended amount of vegetable and fruit intake per day. Increased BMI was associated with higher-strength physical exercise and with being a boy. Conclusions: While some positive trends are evident, such as good oral and hand hygiene and low prevalence of smoking and drug use, significant challenges remain in areas like nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption and screen time.

Background and Objectives: Romania has the highest rate of cervical cancer in Europe. The aim of this study is to measure the level of sexual health knowledge among participants and determine the extent to which factors such as age, gender, education level, access to sexual health resources, and cultural background influence their knowledge. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1089 Romanian youth participants aged 18–35 years. A self-administered online questionnaire was used concerning the level of knowledge relating to STIs, contraception methods, and preventive attitudes during the 2023–2024 academic year. Results: Most of the participants (93,8%) scored a “good-to-excellent” STI level of knowledge. Despite this, 71.9% of the responders had never taken an HIV test, and 63.5% had never been tested for other STIs. Logistic regression analysis revealed a direct association between higher STI knowledge levels among respondents with age (p < 0.001), underage sexual debuts (p = 0.018), greater parental education (p = 0.016), and those who studied health sciences (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study highlights the critical need for health communication campaigns to enhance STI knowledge and vaccine literacy to improve the vaccination rates among young people in Romania. The identified knowledge gaps, frequent misconceptions, and barriers to STI testing underscore the importance of comprehensive sexual health education, public health initiatives for reducing the stigma associated with STIs, and improved access to healthcare services for young people.

Background and Objectives: Sleep is a vital psychological function for health and well-being in all age groups, from children to adolescents, to adults and the elderly, and impacts quality of life. This study evaluated temporal changes in sleep quality and lifestyle behaviors among medical students in North-Western Romania (Transylvania) between the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed involving 709 medical students assessed during the first pandemic wave (2020) and the 2023–2024 academic year. Online questionnaires collected data on demographics, body mass index (BMI), substance use, and physical activity. Sleep quality was measured using the validated Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and multiple linear regression was performed to identify predictors of sleep outcomes. Results: Post-pandemic data revealed a significant decline in sleep quality, with female gender and lower academic performance identified as significant predictors of insomnia symptoms (R² of 0.258, p < 0.05). While physical activity levels improved significantly in 2024 compared to the confinement period, this was accompanied by increased fast-food consumption and a rise in overweight and obesity rates. Conversely, illicit drug use decreased, and alcohol consumption patterns shifted, characterized by reduced weekly frequency among females but persistent binge drinking episodes. Conclusions: The transition to post-pandemic education yielded mixed health outcomes; while physical activity rebounded, sleep quality and nutritional status deteriorated. These findings highlight the necessity for university-based interventions focusing on sleep hygiene, nutrition, and stress management to support the well-being of medical students.

Background/Objectives: This study provides the first national-level assessment of burnout among family physicians (FPs) and emergency physicians (EPs) in Romania. Burnout syndrome is a growing concern in medical settings, particularly among primary care physicians. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of frustration and emotional exhaustion (EE) among the Romanian EPs and FPs. Methods: A cross-sectional observational online study was conducted using validated psychometric questionnaires. Statistical analyses included correlation, regression, and between-group comparisons. Results: A total of 307 participants were included (222 FP and 85 EP). EPs reported significantly higher levels of frustration (Mean ± SD = 1.94 ± 1.22) and EE (2.52 ± 0.86) than FPs (2.01 ± 1.24 and 2.51 ± 0.84, respectively; p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified ‘feeling at the end of one’s strength’ (M = 1.26, p < 0.001) and ‘evening exhaustion’ (M = 1.20, p = 0.0112) as significant predictors of EE. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for differentiated intervention strategies adapted to the specific work conditions of each medical specialty. Organizational support and mental health promotion are recommended to reduce burnout, alongside encouraging professionals to practice individual strategies to ensure well-being.

Background and Objectives: This study explores gender variations in the associations between lifestyle choices, mental health, and social behaviors among adolescents in the Transylvania region of Romania. The analysis is based on data obtained through the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Materials and Methods: Data on 900 Romanian adolescents aged 11–18 years were obtained via the GSHS. This study evaluated nutritional statuses through BMI Z-scores, employing World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs applied to self-reported height and weight; furthermore, it assessed well-being and perceived health; worries and sleep anxiety; social connections through having friends, loneliness, peer support, and emotional support; parental bonding relations; experiences of being bullied; safety and protection factors, including distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and testing or vaccinations for COVID-19; and social behaviors, including the use of social networks. A multiple logistic regression was used to predict sleep disturbance anxiety, depending on sex, bullying, cyberbullying, loneliness, social network use, and peer support. Results: Results showed that the majority of the adolescents reported having one or more friends (96.8%), with no significant difference between girls and boys (p = 0.071). There were no statistically significant differences in bullying and cyberbullying experiences between sexes (p = 0.063). Notably, gender disparities exist in both health perceptions and risk behaviors, with girls experiencing higher rates of negative health perceptions, sleep anxiety (p < 0.001), and loneliness (p = 0.011) and boys exhibiting more overweight/obesity (p < 0.001) and school truancy (p = 0.027). According to the results, loneliness is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of sleep-disturbing anxiety (p < 0.001). Students who have experienced cyberbullying are more likely to also experience traditional bullying. Students who feel lonely are more likely to be victims of bullying. Conclusions: This study reveals significant gender disparities in adolescent health, particularly in mental health, risk behaviors, and social support. It highlights the need for gender-specific interventions to address these challenges and promote healthy development. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of social connections, family support, and parental involvement in adolescent well-being. Addressing bullying, promoting mental health awareness, and providing accessible support services are crucial for improving adolescent health in Romania.