Campania black jersey for childhood obesity

Campania confirms its position as the worst place for childhood obesity: according to the latest available data, almost one child in two has problems with being overweight or obesityThis is confirmed by the "Okkio alla salute" study, the surveillance system promoted and funded by the Ministry of Health. The topic of childhood obesity is a major focus of the 53rd National Congress of the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery (SICP), which opened today in Naples at the Santa Patrizia complex of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli."

The cumulative prevalence of overweight and obesity in Italian children aged 6 to 9 years is 32,2%, obesity is 9,4% and severe obesity is 2,4%.

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In Campania, the prevalence of obesity is 12,6%, severe obesity is 6,2%, and overweight is 25,4%, for a total of 44,2%. Among adolescents aged 11 to 15, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Campania is 31,6%, compared to the national figure of 22,4%. With 44,2%, Campania therefore has the worst rate in Italy, closely followed by Calabria, with 42%. Nationally, however, a third of children between the ages of 6 and 9 are already obese or overweight.

With the outbreak of the pandemic, the situation further worsened, and scientific literature began to discuss "covibesity," linking lockdowns and childhood obesity. "Covid has certainly led to an increase in childhood obesity, as it has forced individuals who were already struggling to maintain an active lifestyle into a more sedentary lifestyle," explains Alfonso Papparella, full professor at the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" and president of the conference. "Today, the WHO estimates that 340 million children and adolescents, aged 5 to 19, are overweight, a percentage that has practically doubled since the early 70s.

What has caused the situation to deteriorate over the years, he adds, is the rapid and progressive spread of foods rich in sugar and fat: this is why promoting proper nutrition education in schools is so important. According to Papparella, "childhood obesity requires a multidisciplinary approach that brings together a psychologist, pediatrician, nutritionist, pediatric endocrinologist, and pediatric surgeon. When dietary and nutritional therapy doesn't work, when lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity aren't enough, bariatric surgery can be used even in pediatric age."