Italy Approves World's First Comprehensive Law to Combat Obesity

The Italian parliament has definitively approved the world's first comprehensive law to combat obesity, establishing a national program for prevention, treatment, education, and inclusion, as reported by news outlets today.

A report published on the digital site of the specialized publication Quotidiano Sanità indicates that the new six-article legislation, which received final approval from the Italian Senate yesterday, formally recognizes obesity as a chronic, progressive, and recurrent disease.

This initiative received a favorable vote from senators without amendments to the bill approved by the Chamber of Deputies on May 7th. It introduces a broad and structured regulatory framework with measures affecting health, education, employment, public information, and professional training.

The legislation establishes an explicit recognition of the right of people with obesity to access health services included in the so-called Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA). This guarantees them coverage by the National Health Service (NHS), free of charge.

As part of the law, the launch of a national program for the prevention and treatment of obesity is included, with an initial budget of 700 thousand euros in 2025. This figure will increase to 800 thousand in 2026 and reach 1.2 million euros per year starting in 2027.

These funds will be allocated to promoting physical activity and adequate nutrition from childhood, raising awareness among parents, supporting breastfeeding, and public information campaigns through pharmacies, doctors, and community networks.

The law also fosters the inclusion of people with obesity in schools, workplaces, and sports and recreational environments, combating prejudice and discrimination.

Furthermore, 400 thousand euros per year, starting in 2025, will be allocated for training and refresher courses for university students, general practitioners, pediatricians, and NHS staff, aiming to ensure updated competencies in the prevention, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of obesity.

The law contemplates the creation of the Observatory for the Study of Obesity (OSO) within the Ministry of Health. This body will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the law, contributing to the development of the national program, and presenting an annual report to Parliament with updated data and scientific evidence.

The Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, stated on the matter that "approving a law against obesity is a demonstration of the civility that Italy is once again showing in the field of public health," as it recognizes obesity as a pathology and a risk factor for many chronic-degenerative, metabolic, and oncological diseases.

For this reason, following this new legal framework, "we will pay special attention to prevention in this area, as well as to specific training to combat this type of disease," Schillaci added.