Severe Obesity Affects 100,000 Children in Italy, Reducing Life Expectancy by 15 Years
Naples: More than one hundred thousand children and adolescents under the age of 17 in Italy suffer from severe and premature obesity, a condition that can lead to a significant reduction in life expectancy by over 15 years compared to their peers, the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP) stated at its 80th annual congress.
According to Ansa News Agency, the condition is coupled with serious health risks that can manifest at a very young age, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver. Additionally, children with severe obesity often face psychological challenges such as anxiety, social isolation, and low self-esteem. The SIP emphasized the importance of early intervention to prevent the issue from becoming chronic.
The simplest risk indicator for severe obesity is the waist/height ratio: a waist circumference exceeding half the height signals a warning. Data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanit (Higher Health Institute, ISS) reveals that 19% of children aged 8-9 years in Italy are overweight, 9.8% are obese, and 2.6% are severely obese. The prevalence of obesity increases with age and varies by region, with Campania reporting 24.6% overweight, 12.6% obese, and 6% severely obese children.
Claudio Maffeis, a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Verona, stressed the need for prompt recognition and treatment of this condition to prevent it from becoming chronic. Lifestyle interventions have been shown to reduce body fat index in over 50% of children aged 6 to 9, though they are less effective in adolescents, with only 2% of those aged 14 to 16 responding positively. Regular check-ups and attention to early signs are crucial, as is the influence of parents modeling healthy eating and physical activity.
Rino Agostiniani, president of the SIP, highlighted that severe obesity is a disease requiring treatment in specialized centers with multidisciplinary teams. A mere prescription of diet and exercise is often insufficient, as psychological factors also play a role; children with severe obesity frequently experience motor difficulties, which hinder physical activity and exacerbate feelings of isolation and low self-esteem.
The availability of GLP1 receptor agonist drugs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, offers additional support by regulating hunger and reducing weight and heart risk factors. These medications are, however, only prescribed to adolescents aged 12 and over in specialized centers.
To address the overweight issue systemically, the Italian Federation of Healthcare and Hospital Companies (Fiaso) has established the Italian Obesity Network, a permanent platform focused on prevention, treatment, and innovation.