[Environment and health: the case of the built environment and obesity]

Diseases of affluence such as obesity and type II diabetes mellitus represent a challenge for modern day Public Health. Since the 1980s the frequency of such diseases has greatly increased. Obesity can now be considered as an environmental disease since issues closely linked to the organization and structure of the built environment can clearly influence the lifestyle of citizens including physical activity and eating behaviours. A multi-layered approach to the issue thus becomes essential, both in terms of assessing the impact of the built environment on the state of physical and mental wellbeing of citizens, and in terms of the organization of the environment itself based on the social and health needs of the community.