What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Obesity and overweight (n=3479). Primary outcome: Prevalence of measured obesity, overweight, and normal weight.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis aims to evaluate whether Italy can meet the WHO obesity target based on health examination survey data.

May 6, 2026

Abstract WE515: Obesity and Overweight Surveillance through Population-based Measurements in Adults: Italian Health Examination Survey 2023-2025 - CUORE Project

Key Result

In a 2023-2025 Italian health survey, the prevalence of obesity was 24% in men and 23% in women, with 71% of men and 54% of women classified as overweight or obese.

Key Points

This analysis aims to evaluate whether Italy can meet the WHO obesity target based on health examination survey data.
A new health examination survey is being conducted from 2023 to 2025.
Data collected from random samples in 17 out of 20 Italian regions, involving 1730 men and 1749 women aged 35-74 years.
Weight and height measured using standardized methods, with physical activity defined as less than 150 minutes weekly.
Prevalence of obesity was 24% in men and 23% in women; overweight was 47% in men and 31% in women.
Mean BMI was 27.7 kg/m2 in men and 26.6 kg/m2 in women.
Obesity prevalence was higher in individuals with insufficient physical activity and lower education levels.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=3,479)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

3,479 adults (1,730 men, 1,749 women) aged 35-74 years, randomly sampled residents in 17 regions of Italy

Outcome

Prevalence of measured obesity (BMI>=30 kg/m2), overweight (25<=BMI<30 kg/m2) and normal weight

A large proportion of the Italian adult population remains overweight or obese, highlighting the need for continued preventive actions to meet WHO targets.

Abstract

Introduction: WHO recommends to halt the rise of obesity in the population by 2025 (baseline 2010) and suggests to monitor targets by periodic health examination surveys (HESs). In Italy HESs data, collected within the CUORE Project with the support and funds of Ministry of Health– CCM, were used to monitoring the obesity trend. A new survey started in 2023 and is still ongoing, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health – CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI. Hypothesis: This analysis aims to assess if Italy can meet the obesity WHO target in the general adult population using data measured in the periodic HESs conducted within the CUORE Project. Methods: In the period 2023-2025 a new HES including anthropometric assessment is being implemented. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 17 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy are available (1730 men, 1749 women aged 35-74 years). Weight and height were measured using standardized methods. Insufficient physical activity was defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week or less than 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution. Results: Prevalence of measured obesity (BMI>=30 kg/m 2 ), overweight (25<=BMI<30 kg/m 2 ) and normal weight (18.5<=BMI<25 kg/m 2 ) was 24% (95% confidence interval: 20-28%), 47% (43-52%), 29% (25-33%) in men, and 23% (19-27%), 31% (27-36%), 43% (38-48%) in women. Mean level of measured BMI was 27.7 kg/m 2 (27.3-28.1kg/m 2 ) in men and 26.6 kg/m 2 (26.1-27.1kg/m 2 ) in women. Obesity had a tendency to be higher in persons with insufficient physical activity (28% - 21-35% in men; 26% - 20-32% in women) compared to those with sufficient physical activity (21% - 16-26% in men; 21% - 15-26% in women), and in persons with primary or secondary school education (30% - 22-38% in men; 32% - 23-40% in women) compared to those with higher educational level (21% - 16-26% in men; 20% - 16-24% in women). Conclusions: In 2023-2025, preliminary obesity prevalence resulted similar to HES data of 15 ago both in men and women, and tendentially higher compared to 5 years ago especially in men. However, 71% of men and 54% of women are in the overweight/obesity condition. Preventive actions at national and community level should be still massively implemented.