The increase in obesity rates in recent years has become more and more a global health problem. Italy, which is known for its healthy Mediterranean diet, is equally at home with this problem. In Italy, the growing epidemic can be a serious threat to national health, with variations in different regions. Overweight rates are significantly higher in the south than in the north. Obesity has an impact on Italians' health, government finances, and personal assets. And unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity and sedentariness, and socioeconomic disparities contribute to rising obesity rates, especially among children and adolescents. Recent data trends indicate a growing problem of overweight among Italian children. Italy's efforts to address obesity include initiatives such as public policy interventions and the development of a healthcare system.
The current situation of obesity in Italy The increase in obesity rates has become a major global health issue in recent years, and Italy, which is known for its healthy Mediterranean diet, is no different on this issue. Although Italy has one of the lowest adult obesity rates among OECD countries, it has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Europe. According to survey data from the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2015 to 2017, 21% of children in Italy are overweight or obese, which is the highest rate of childhood obesity in Europe. In turn, 35.5% of Italian adults are overweight, with more than one in ten of them obese, and 45.9% of the population aged 18 and over are overweight. According to research projections by Vincenzo Atella, a professor at the University of Rome's School of Economics, the obesity rate in Italy in 2030 could be double the number in 2000. It is worth noting that there are also differences in the different regions of Italy. The impact of obesity on health-related quality of life is particularly pronounced in the Southern regions. Disparities in rates between genders and age groups are also evident. Obesity rates are significantly higher in Italian men than in women, while the highest percentage of overweight is in the older age group of 65-74 years.
Criteria of Obesity Overweight and obesity are abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses a risk to health. Although there are many ways to screen for obesity, the most widely used method is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. According to WHO, for adults, a pre-obesity body mass index (BMI) value above 25 is considered overweight and above 30 is considered obese.
Prevalence of obesity in Italy In Italy, almost half of men and about one third of women are overweight or obese. Between 2001 and 2008, the age-standardised prevalence of overweight (obesity) rose by 1.4% (1.9 %) in men and by 0.4 % (0.5%) in women. Research from 2023 report that 70% of men and 55% of women in Italy are still overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in Italy is 23 % for men and 25% for women. The prevalence of overweight is 47% and 30%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity is significantly higher among those with primary or secondary education than among those with higher education. This information shows that the prevalence of obesity and overweight in the adult population is still at epidemic levels in Italy.
Causes of obesity in Italy
Social factors The role of socio-demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education, eating habits, geographical distribution, etc., can have an impact. In Italy, obesity is more prevalent among socially disadvantaged groups, who have a lower level of education and therefore have greater difficulty in accessing medical assistance. It can lead to an overweight situation that is not well controlled. Eating habits are also a factor. Italians who regularly consume fruits and vegetables, for example, have a significantly lower rate of overweight than those who regularly drink alcohol and consume junk food. Obese people seem to get more pleasure from shopping and are more interested in cooking. And they are more likely to find self-satisfaction in food. However, they were less interested in the nutritional content of their food. Research show that obese people prefer snacks to regular meals.
Urbanisation and sedentary lifestyles The economic development and urbanisation of Italy has led to an increase in the number of sedentary occupations and a consequent decrease in daily physical activity, and this economicisation is also quietly changing the shape of the Italian population. As more and more people start working in office jobs, there are fewer opportunities for movement and exercise than in traditional labor-intensive occupations. The expansion of car-centred infrastructure in cities has also replaced streets that were once travelled by foot and bicycle, all of which can lead to weight gain. At the same time, long working hours and lack of time to prepare food can encourage moves to consume fast food and ready meals, further fueling the risk of obesity.
Marketing and Food Industry Impacts The food industry's aggressive promotion of high calorie processed foods, especially targeting children, is a major contributor to rising obesity rates in Italy. Brightly colored advertisements for snacks are everywhere, cartoon images looped on TV endorse high-sugar drinks, and internet celebrities on social media are promoting the latest models of processed foods. The lack of strict regulation of unhealthy food advertising has allowed companies to influence consumer behaviour on a wide scale. Fast food and ultra-processed foods are reshaping Italian taste preferences and healthier foods are on the decline. This is particularly worrying for children, who are extremely vulnerable to marketing strategies that are likely to influence their eating habits for the rest of their lives.
Economic factors
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