MILAN (ITALPRESS) – On the occasion of “World Obesity Day” on March 4, the Order of Biologists of Lombardy is organizing an important National Congress to be held March 4 and 5 in the Chiostri di San Barnaba, Milan. Entitled Obesity Day Summit on Obesity and Microbiota, the event has received the patronage of universities and important scientific institutions and represents a unique opportunity for professionals and scholars to discuss the most topical issues related to obesity, through moments of in-depth scientific and multidisciplinary debate. A highly relevant event that promises to be a landmark for both the scientific and the popularization and awareness panorama. World Obesity and Overweight Prevention Day was established in 2015 by the International Obesity Federation (IFO) to address an issue that is still highly topical today. “Obesity is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and our duty as health professionals is to address it with awareness, expertise, and a spirit of collaboration,” emphasizes the President of the Lombardy Order of Biologists, Rudy Alexander Rossetto. “The National Congress we have organized is not only an opportunity for scientific updates, but also an opportunity to raise awareness among the public, institutions and the media about the importance of countering this global phenomenon with concrete actions. I invite all professionals in the field to participate and actively contribute to this initiative, to become protagonists of a positive and necessary change.” The numbers are worrying. Obesity continues to be one of the most misunderstood and underestimated diseases, so much so that even today it is rarely recognized as a chronic disease influenced by biological, genetic, environmental and psychophysical health factors. Globally, about one billion people are living with obesity, a number set to double by 2035, when nearly one in four will be affected. According to the Italian Barometer Obesity Report 2024 carried out by IBDO Foundation in collaboration with Istat, Coresearch and Bhave, there are 6 million obese people in our country, or 12 percent of the adult population. More than 25 million Italians, or 46 percent of the population, are overweight: 26.3 percent are children and adolescents (about 2.2 million between the ages of 3 and 17), with peaks of 31.9 percent in southern Italy. According to the study by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), the Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces, and the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), entitled “OKkio alla Salute,” nearly 1 in 3 children is overweight and 1 in 10 suffers from obesity, in the age group of 6 to 10 years. Combining the data for the different age groups and applying the average percentages of overweight and obesity to the Italian child and adolescent population, it is estimated that about 2,400,000 of the 8,922,133 children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 19 are overweight. This figure confirms a prevalence of about 27 percent, in line with the results of the “OKkio alla Salute” survey and the latest Obesity Monitor of 2024. This represents the most serious “noninfectious epidemic” of the third millennium, so much so that the World Health Organization (WHO) coined the term “Globesity.” In Italy, although obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease by Parliament, many unresolved issues remain. To celebrate this day in a meaningful way, the Order of Biologists of Lombardy requested the sponsorship of the most prestigious universities in Lombardy and involved high-profile speakers, as well as representatives of scientific societies and the world of associations. The Obesity Day Summit on obesity and the microbiota will boast a parterre of nationally and internationally renowned experts, who will contribute papers of extraordinary scientific relevance. Among the guests will be Lombardy Region Councilwoman Silvia Scurati, also referent of the council intergroup ‘Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyles; Councilman Emanuele Monti, chairman of the IX Permanent Commission on Social Sustainability; and Professor Valter Longo, director of the Longevity Institute of the USC (University of Southern California) in Los Angeles. In addition, Coni Lombardy President Marco Riva, ATS Bergamo General Director Massimo Giupponi and other distinguished figures from the academic and scientific scene, politics and health care, legislators, TV and press, to ensure a comprehensive and multidisciplinary view on obesity-related issues. In addition, an invitation was extended to Lombardy Region President Attilio Fontana, Welfare Councillor Guido Bertolaso and Health Minister Orazio Schillaci. Scientific referees for the congress are Dr. Rudy Alexander Rossetto and Marcello Romeo. During the event, there will be a special moment for the signing of the memorandum of understanding between OBL and ASMEL (Association for Subsidiarity and Modernization of Local Authorities), which represents more than 4,300 Italian municipalities. On this occasion, we will launch the platform dedicated to the search for professionals and job opportunities, which can be accessed by all municipalities and companies to search for qualified Biologists for the world of work in municipal administrations, aimed at expanding the work network of community and family Biologists.During the two days, the scientific journal Photo 51 will also be officially presented, with the distribution of the first issue to all participants and the presentation of the scientific board. The initiatives conceived by President Rudy Alexander Rossetto on the occasion of World Obesity Day 2024 and World Obesity Day 2023 had received great participation and attracted media attention. Also for World Obesity Day 2025, the President wanted to devise an initiative to raise awareness, at the Chiostri di San Barnaba, in Milan. The aim is to inform about the spread of obesity and the importance of prevention, emphasizing the crucial role of proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.(ITALPRESS).
Photo: Italpress
