World Obesity Day: Statistics, Challenges, and New Policies in Italy
Prevention, access to care, and combating stigma are the priorities for the National Health System
30.03.2026
This month, on March 4, World Obesity Day was observed—an occasion that brings renewed attention to an increasingly important public health issue: recognizing obesity as a complex chronic disease and promoting greater awareness around prevention, management, and access to care.
On this occasion, obesity and global challenges were discussed in the Senate during an event promoted by Senator D. Sbrollini, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Intergroup on Obesity, Diabetes and Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, and the World Obesity Federation. As HCC, we are pleased to have contributed to amplifying the message by supporting communication around the event through press office activities.
According to estimates by the World Obesity Federation, more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity. The issue also strongly concerns Italy: according to the latest Italian Barometer Obesity Report 2025, 11.8% of the Italian adult population is affected by obesity. In recent years, Italy has taken important steps from a regulatory perspective, becoming the first country in the world to approve a specific law on obesity, recognizing it as a chronic disease and including it in the Essential Levels of Care (LEA). According to the Italian Barometer Obesity Report 2025, published by the IBDO Foundation and based on data from ISTAT and ISS, the number of adults living with obesity is increasing compared to 11.4% in 2022. Childhood obesity also remains a critical issue: around 19% of children aged 8–9 are overweight and 9.8% are obese. In October 2025, Law No. 149 was approved—a measure aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, improving diagnosis and treatment pathways, and ensuring more equitable access to therapies.
According to estimates by the World Obesity Federation, more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity. The issue also strongly concerns Italy: according to the latest Italian Barometer Obesity Report 2025, 11.8% of the Italian adult population is affected by obesity. In recent years, Italy has taken important steps from a regulatory perspective, becoming the first country in the world to approve a specific law on obesity, recognizing it as a chronic disease and including it in the Essential Levels of Care (LEA). According to the Italian Barometer Obesity Report 2025, published by the IBDO Foundation and based on data from ISTAT and ISS, the number of adults living with obesity is increasing compared to 11.4% in 2022. Childhood obesity also remains a critical issue: around 19% of children aged 8–9 are overweight and 9.8% are obese. In October 2025, Law No. 149 was approved—a measure aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, improving diagnosis and treatment pathways, and ensuring more equitable access to therapies.