MILAN (ITALPRESS) – In Milan, at the Teatro Angelicum, the World Obesity Day was held, two days of discussion dedicated to one of the main health emergencies of our time: obesity. “An incredible two days: sold-out event in the week, high-level speakers and the ability to combine professionals with very different fields with a single goal, prevention and health protection of the patient, who first of all is a person. Now we will bring concrete progress to the activities and actions that emerged from this so exciting congress,” said Rudy A. Rossetto, biologist nutritionist, creator and scientific representative of the World Obesity Day Congress, at the end of the event that took place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th March. In Italy, in absolute terms, about 17 million adults are overweight and over 4 million are obese. A condition that exerts a strong pressure on the National Health Service, aggravated by the increase in potential demand: recognition of obesity as chronic disease in fact entails a greater demand for specialist visits and care. At the centre of the congress the theme of prevention and integrated treatment, with a multidisciplinary approach that involved several medical professionals. Great attention has been paid to childhood and adolescent obesity, with the aim of early intervention to reduce the risk of future pathologies. As underlined by Emanuele Monti, President of the IX Commission Welfare di Regione Lombardia: “Obesity is like a new pandemic, especially among young people. Italy is among the European countries with the highest rates in pediatric and youth. Lombardy Region is the first in Italy to have activated concrete actions to strengthen attention on this topic and improve the relationship between hospital and territory, focusing on prevention”. On the same line also Silvia Scurati, coordinator of the Regional Intergroup obesity, diabetes and lifestyles: “The Regional Council of Lombardy has just approved a motion that establishes a path and a timing to strengthen the territorial network, involve schools and improve preventive screening”. Given the relevance of the issue, the bill on obesity has been approved without parliamentary hearings, a sign of a transversal political will. Cristina Del Tutto, Secretary General of the Intergroup for Scientific Knowledge and Research and Director of Parliamentary Radio: “The first law on obesity was approved by our Parliament last October: a very important result. It is the first norm in the world – not only in Europe – that recognizes obesity as a complex chronic pathology. We were pioneers in this matter, a significant milestone that fits perfectly in these days dedicated to the World Obesity Day”. Among the most detailed scientific philanthropists during the congress was that of microbiota, increasingly recognized as a key actor in the regulation of metabolism, inflammatory processes and energy balance. Among the most current themes is the use of agonist drugs of the GLP-1, today at the center of clinical research for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. It also offers multidisciplinary courses, bariatric surgery, onco-obesity and the role of clinical nutrition in complex patients. Riccardo Caccialanza, Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Milan and responsible for Clinical Nutrition at San Matteo di Pavia: “There is a very important link between obesity, overweight and incidence of tumors. In this context, clinical nutrition plays a fundamental role not only in prevention, but also in limiting the side effects of therapies, which in obese and sarcopic cancer patients are even more frequent”. The message emerged fromcongress is clear: obesity is a complex pathology requiring early diagnosis, global takeover and personalized therapeutic strategies. A health and cultural challenge involving prevention, food education, physical activity and scientific research. Two days that highlighted how only an integrated and multidisciplinary approach can effectively address one of the most important emergencies of contemporary public health. To close the congress was Marcello Romeo, professor at the University of Salento and professor of the Master in Clinical Nutrition: “There were two very intense congress days, during which speakers of great national and international importance were alternated to address issues such as obesity, insulin-resistance, diabetes and their important correlation with microbiota. Today we cannot but consider these conditions as chronic immuno-metabolic pathologies, united by a state of persistent metabolic inflammation, today defined meta-inflammation”.– photo f50/Italpress-(ITALPRESS).
