Italy has been warned that it is facing a severe problem in the coming years due to the high rates of overweight and obese children.
In its annual health report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development singled out Italy, saying that the number of overweight and obese children in Italy was “among the highest in the world” and that this will “lead to a greater demand for healthcare in the future.”
About 30% of Italian youngsters are overweight. Among OECD countries, Italy had the second highest rate with only Greece having more.
The facts are surprising, given that both countries are known for their healthy Mediterranean diets and Italy has a life expectancy of 82.8 years.
Some fear that advertisements for processed foods are having too great an influence.
“There is actually a lack of strong eating habits in this country,” said Pamela Damiano, a spokesperson for Slow Food – the Italian movement set up to promote food traditions and 'good, clean and fair' foods.
“This lack has been seized upon by advertisers, who are now pushing commercial products on Italians.”
Italy is losing many of its local outdoor markets, its delicatessens and bakers. The majority of homemakers shop now in supermarket chains where industrial products have replaced artisanal ones.
“It paves the way for an unbalanced diet, instead of favouring a simpler, less refined and more wholesome one,” Damiano said. “Simple industrial flavours nearly always carry a higher calorie count.”
Moreover, Italian youngsters are believed to spend some of the highest number of hours in Europe on the computer or watching TV. Increasingly they are ferried about by car rather than walking or cycling.
In combat the growing problem, the Italian government has set up a physical education programme as well as a number of educational programmes concerning healthy food. Healthier school dinners are also on the agenda.
