Building Health from Childhood: One Health Strategies for Obesity Prevention and Nutritional Education in Italy

Childhood obesity represents a major public health challenge, with long-term consequences for individual health and the sustainability of healthcare systems. Early childhood, particularly the 5-11 age range, is a critical period for establishing lifestyle habits related to nutrition and physical activity. Promoting healthy behaviors during this stage is therefore essential for effective primary prevention. Recent national data from the Italian surveillance system shows that excess body weight remains widespread among Italian children aged 8-9 years: approximately 19% are overweight and about 10% are affected by obesity. The survey also highlights several associated risk behaviors, including inadequate breakfast consumption, low intake of fruit and vegetables, high screen time, and insufficient physical activity. Moreover, significant socioeconomic and geographical inequalities persist, with higher prevalence observed among disadvantaged families and in several southern regions of Italy. In response, Italy has implemented a series of public health initiatives aimed at strengthening prevention and promoting healthier lifestyles. These include the 2021 national guidelines on physical activity, the establishment of the National Permanent Table on Nutritional Safety (TaNSiN), the first Italian law recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, and initiatives supporting breastfeeding and early-life nutrition. These measures align with the One Health framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human health, food systems, and environmental conditions. Within this perspective, integrated policies combining nutritional education, promotion of physical activity, and multisectoral collaboration are essential to reduce childhood obesity and foster healthier and more sustainable communities.