Italy has witnessed a 36% rise in obesity over the past 20 years, largely attributed to the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods, according to a study by the Aletheia Foundation. This research comes ahead of World Food Day and highlights that 14% of calories consumed in Italy come from ultra-processed products.
The study indicates a significant rise in ultra-processed food consumption among the youth, particularly those aged 5 to 30. Such products include snacks, sugary drinks, and other items laden with chemical additives. While these additives are deemed safe, their cumulative effect poses health risks, potentially undermining healthy dietary practices like the Mediterranean diet.
In comparison, the situation in Italy is somewhat better than in the United States, where ultra-processed foods account for 60% of adult caloric intake and 70% for adolescents. The 'Global Burden of Disease' study identifies poor diet-related obesity and hyperglycemia as leading causes of death in North America.
Experts emphasize the need to safeguard future generations from unhealthy eating habits and advocate for policies promoting the Mediterranean diet as a nutritional model and a cultural approach to food awareness. Currently, 46% of the Italian population is affected by overweight and obesity, equating to over 23 million adults. Reducing caloric intake from high-sugar and high-fat foods by 20% could prevent up to 688,000 chronic diseases by 2050, also saving the Italian economy approximately 12 billion euros.