Objective: A low level of physical activity is a cardiovascular risk factor. Physical activity patterns may differ among different ethnic groups. Aim of the study: Our aim was to evaluate the physical activity patterns of two different Roma populations compared to non-Roma. Material and Methods: The study population included 231 Gabor Roma, 111 Băieși Roma, and 183 non-Roma. A 70-item questionnaire was administered, including also the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, evaluating daily physical activity in minutes and physical activity categories such as walking, gardening, household activity, and sports. Anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist and hip circumference) were measured. Results: The level of physical activity was the lowest among Gabor Roma and was lower in both Roma groups than in non-Roma (Gabor Roma 118.6 ± 91.1 min/day, Băieși Roma 207.55 ± 172.1 min/day, and non-Roma 234.12 ± 167.3 min/day). Both Roma groups had significantly lower percentages of gardening and sport activities compared to non-Roma. Women had a higher level of daily physical activity than men in the Gabor Roma population (144.22 ± 109.4 min/day vs. 79.71 ± 58.2 min/day, p = 0.001). In the two other groups the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Both Roma groups had significantly lower levels of daily physical activity, with differences between genders. Both Roma groups were lesser engaged in sports and gardening than non-Roma subjects.

Introduction: Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality may be associated with weight gain; this association has not yet been studied in Roma (Gipsy) population. Aim: Our aim was to study sleep patterns in two adult Roma subgroups (the wealthy Gabor and the poor Lovari Roma), compared to the majority of Hungarian population, in relation to obesity, knowing that Roma population has specific socio-cultural characteristics, with a rapidly changing lifestyle. Method: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a rural region in Transylvania, where the above groups are cohabiting. The groups were age- and gender-matched. Results: Sleep duration was 7.18 ± 1.6 hours in the Gabor Roma, 7.67 ± 1.5 hours in the Lovari Roma and 7.37 ± 1.5 hours in the non-Roma group. In average, 70% of them had enough sleep (≥7 hours). 38.6% of Gabor Roma, 27.1% of Lovari Roma and 23.5% of non-Roma had poor-quality sleep (p = 0.05). Gabor Roma had significantly higher body mass index (31.1 ± 4.6 versus 27.4 ± 5.2 and 28.66 ± 5.7 kg/m2, p = 0.004), and this correlated inversely with sleep duration (F = 14.85, p<0.000). Conclusion: Gabor Roma had significantly higher percentage of poor-quality sleep. Sleep duration and sleep quality were linked with obesity, mainly in the Roma population. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(32): 1279–1283.