Obesity in Italy

Obesity in Italy has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent years.

Overall, the Italians, along with the French and the Swiss, are considered among the slimmest people in Europe on average.[1] In Europe, Italy was the only country where the average weight dropped.[1]

Causes

Obesity rates in Italy two-year-olds are the highest in Europe with a rate of 42%.[2] Causes are lack of a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle choices such as exercise and getting enough sleep.[2]

Effects

Several studies have shown that obese men tend to have a lower sperm count, fewer rapidly mobile sperm and fewer progressively motile sperm compared to normal-weight men.[3]

Programs

Scientists from the University of Verona designed a new type of park to help deal with obesity in Italian children.[4] The main differences is there's an adult trainer in charge, the children are following a series of organised exercises and all the children are under 6 years old.[4] The cost of the playground was $250,000.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "New obesity report says world is fatter, rounder, less productive". Deutsche Welle. February 4, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Italien hat die dicksten Kinder in Europa". Die Welt. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "Obesity linked to lower sperm count in young men". Reuters. August 11, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "New park opens as Italy wrestles with record obesity". BBC. 27 June 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
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