Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy 2021, by region

In 2021, the distribution of body-mass-index (BMI) across Italy varied greatly by region. According to the data, southern regions had a higher share of overweight and obese people compared to the national average. Overall, the overweight population in Italy is projected to reach 68 percent by 2025. The Italian regions with the highest share of people considered as having a normal weight in 2021 were Trentino-South Tyrol and Liguria, with 54.9 percent. On the other hand, the region of Aosta Valley hosted the most underweight people in the country, in relative terms, with 4.8 percent.

Diabetes

The number of individuals suffering from diabetes in Italy amounted to 3,539 in 2020. Although the risk factors related to type one diabetes are not fully known, among the risk factors for diabetes type 2, being overweight or obese are among the most common. Indeed, in 2020, more than 17 percent of obese women were also diabetic. This rate lowers to 12.8 percent for men.

Obesity among children and adolescents

Childhood obesity is becoming an issue in the country, with the share of overweight and obese children growing every year. Indeed, Italy has become one of the European countries with the highest obesity rate among children. This tendency is more prevalent among young boys, with 29.2 percent of male minors overweight between 2019 and 2020, compared to 23.2 percent of females.