A New Strategy to Tackle Obesity and NCDs – Quotidiano Sanità
Quotidiano Sanità, the leading platform for the Italian health community, has just published our joint commentary – by myself and Professor Michele Carruba – on one of today’s most urgent health and social challenges: obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We argue that outdated and simplistic measures will not work. What Europe – and the world – needs is a new, evidence-based, multidimensional approach. Read the full article here >>>
A New Strategy to Tackle Obesity and NCDs
Here are the key points of our contribution:
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Obesity is not just about weight.
It reflects a deeper imbalance in lifestyle and environment. The consequences are medical, social, and economic: reduced productivity, higher healthcare costs, and lower quality of life. -
Old policies are failing.
Taxes and simplistic food labels are easy headlines but poor solutions. They rarely change citizens’ habits and often increase inequality, hitting the most vulnerable. -
We need empowerment, not punishment.
Citizens must be supported in making informed choices. That means better education, healthier environments, and access to science-driven tools that guide—not dictate—behavior.
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The Mediterranean lifestyle as a model.
More than a diet, it is a proven lifestyle: integrating nutrition, physical activity, and mental balance. Evidence shows it reduces the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases by up to 45%. -
A culture of balance.
This is not the responsibility of individuals alone. Institutions, schools, healthcare professionals, and media must all promote balance as a cultural norm.
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The path forward.
Policies should focus on empowerment, education, and innovation. Only then can we reduce the incidence of obesity and NCDs, and return to citizens not only health but also freedom of choice and dignity.
Our call is clear: let’s stop repeating ineffective solutions and embrace a paradigm shift. A balanced lifestyle is the most powerful tool we have to fight obesity and non-communicable diseases.
