Obesity, balance and freedom of choice: a conversation with L’Identità
On World Obesity Day, the Italian newspaper Identità (paper and digital) published an interview in which I discuss obesity as one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
The conversation was particularly interesting because, despite its conservative editorial perspective, Identità showed strong interest in an approach I have long advocated: addressing obesity through the lens of a balanced lifestyle, avoiding both ideological simplifications and paternalistic policy solutions.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE ON L’IDENTITÀ
Obesity, balance and freedom of choice: a conversation with L’Identità
Obesity is more than diet. Despite growing attention to health and wellness, obesity continues to rise, even in countries like Italy, historically associated with the Mediterranean diet. This apparent paradox highlights a crucial point: the issue is not only what we eat, but the overall balance of our lifestyle.
Over the past decades we have gradually lost the equilibrium between nutrition, physical activity, rest, social relationships and stress management. When this balance breaks down, the risks of obesity and chronic diseases increase.
A social and environmental phenomenon. Weight gain is rarely the result of a single factor. It reflects the interaction between environment, behaviour and social context.
READ THE HUFFPOST’S EDITORIAL: A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Today we move less, spend more time sitting, sleep poorly and live under higher levels of stress. Digital environments and changing social habits have also altered how we eat and live. As a result, obesity is not simply an individual matter but a broader social and environmental challenge.
Beyond simplistic food narratives. Public debate often frames food as either “natural” or “processed.” This dichotomy is misleading. Food has always been transformed, and modern processing has contributed to food safety and accessibility.
READ MY INTERVIEW ON IL MESSAGGERO
What matters most is the overall quality of the diet and lifestyle: variety, portion sizes, frequency of consumption and physical activity.
The Mediterranean lifestyle. The Mediterranean diet should be understood as a lifestyle rather than a list of foods. Its core principle is balance: moderation in eating, regular movement, social connection and respect for daily rhythms.
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Effective prevention, therefore, requires education and empowerment, not prohibition. Public policy should aim to strengthen people’s ability to make informed choices and restore the balance that historically supported health in Mediterranean societies.
