Abstract Body: Introduction: WHO recommends to halt the rise of obesity in the population by 2025 (baseline 2010) and suggests to monitor targets by periodic health examination surveys (HESs). In Italy HESs data, collected within the CUORE Project with the support and funds of Ministry of Health– CCM, were used to monitoring the obesity trend. A new survey started in 2023 and is still ongoing, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI.
Hypothesis: This analysis aims to assess if Italy can meet the obesity WHO target in the general adult population using data measured in the periodic HESs conducted within the CUORE Project.
Methods: In the period 2023-2025 a new HES including anthropometric assessment is being implemented. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 17 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy are available (1730 men, 1749 women aged 35-74 years). Weight and height were measured using standardized methods. Insufficient physical activity was defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution.
Results: Prevalence of measured obesity (BMI>=30 kg/m²), overweight (25<=BMI<30 kg/m²) and normal weight (18.5<=BMI<25 kg/m²) was 24% (95% confidence interval: 20-28%), 47% (43-52%), 29% (25-33%) in men, and 23% (19-27%), 31% (27-36%), 43% (38-48%) in women. Mean level of measured BMI was 27.7 kg/m² (27.3-28.1kg/m²) in men and 26.6 kg/m² (26.1-27.1kg/m²) in women. Obesity had a tendency to be higher in persons with insufficient physical activity (28% - 21-35% in men; 26% - 20-32% in women) compared to those with sufficient physical activity (21% - 16-26% in men; 21% - 15-26% in women), and in persons with primary or secondary school education (30% - 22-38% in men; 32% - 23-40% in women) compared to those with higher educational level (21% - 16-26% in men; 20% - 16-24% in women).
Conclusions: In 2023-2025, preliminary obesity prevalence resulted similar to HES data of 15 ago both in men and women, and tendentially higher compared to 5 years ago especially in men. However, 71% of men and 54% of women are in the overweight/obesity condition. Preventive actions at national and community level should be still massively implemented.