The age distribution of the body mass index reveals that weight increases hand in hand with age among the Italian population. In 2023, many Italians aged between 65 and 74 were overweight and obese. The age group with the largest share of normal weight people was the one including individuals who were 18 to 24 years old. However, this portion of the population was also the one with the highest incidence of underweight individuals. To put it in numbers, in 2023, *** percent of Italians aged 18 to 24 were underweight. Prevalence of overweight and underweight Overall, the number of overweight individuals exceeded by far the number of people dealing with underweight. The number of overweight people in Italy increased from ****** in 2005 to ****** individuals in 2023. Furthermore, the number of underweight individuals peaked in 2023 as a result of a steadily increasing trend started in 2009. Eating disorders Weight gain or loss is often caused by eating disorders. In 2017, the age group including people aged 20 to 29 years was the one with the highest incidence of both bulimia and anorexia nervosa.
In 2023, roughly one in two Italians enjoyed a normal weight in terms of body mass index (BMI). However, about 35 percent of the population was overweight, while obese people represented 11.8 percent of the population. Moreover, a small share of individuals were underweight. This figure shows the distribution of adult body mass index (BMI) in Italy in 2023.
In 2023, the distribution of body-mass-index (BMI) across Italy varied greatly by region. According to the data, southern regions had a higher share of overweight and obese people compared to the national average. Overall, the overweight population in Italy is projected to reach **** percent by 2029. The Italian regions with the highest share of people considered as having a normal weight in 2023 were Trentino-South Tyrol, Tuscany, and Marche. Conversely, the region of Aosta Valley hosted the most underweight people in the country, in relative terms, with *** percent.
Diabetes The number of individuals suffering from diabetes in Italy amounted to ***** in 2022. Although the risk factors related to type one diabetes are not fully known, among the risk factors for diabetes type 2, being overweight or obese are among the most common. Indeed, in 2021, almost ** percent of obese women were also diabetic. This rate lowers to **** percent for men. Obesity among children and adolescents Childhood obesity is becoming an issue in the country, with the share of overweight and obese children growing every year. Indeed, Italy has become one of the European countries with the highest obesity rate among children. This tendency is more prevalent among young boys, with **** percent of male minors overweight between 2020 and 2021, compared to ** percent of females.
In 2023, approximately 10.5 million men and roughly 14.3 million females in Italy had a normal body weight mass index (BMI). Conversely, more than 1.7 million Italians were found to be underweight, while obese individuals amounted to over 5.8 million. BMI and obesity The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the measure that relates the weight and height of a person and the main way to categorize body complexions into critical underweight, underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2023, 46.4% of the adult population in Italy was either overweight or obese, out of which, the majority were male, between the ages of 45 and 54. Cardiovascular disease in Italy Numerous research sources suggest that obesity is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. In 2021, the main cause of death in Italy was related to circulatory diseases, the most common being ischemic heart disease, which can occur due to a build-up of fatty cells in the coronary arteries of the heart.
This statistic illustrates the distribution of Body-Mass-Index among Italian children and teenagers in 2016, broken down by age group. According to the survey results, the highest share of obese or overweight children belonged to the 6-10 age group (34 percent, or one in three). By contrast, Italian teenagers were more likely (86 percent) to be normal weight or underweight than younger children (77 percent in the 11-13 age group and 66 percent in the 6-10 age group).
In 2023, Campania was the Italian region with the highest percentage of severely obese and obese children aged 8 and 9 years. During that year, on average, 19 percent of children in Italy were overweight and 9.8 percent obese. This statistic shows the percentage of obese and overweight children aged 8 and 9 years in Italy in 2023, by region.
As of 2023, overweight and obese people constituted almost ** percent of the overall population in Italy according to Body Mass Index (BMI). Notably, **** percent of Italian adults were obese, while **** percent were overweight. Apulia, Molise, and Basilicata, were the Italian regions with the highest percentage of obese people in 2023. Risky behaviors Consuming excessive amounts of food, leading to overweight and obesity, is one of the main risky behaviors which lead to the development of other diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Other examples of risky behaviors that increase the probability of developing diseases that lower people’s quality of life and that can be potentially fatal are smoking, living a sedentary lifestyle, and the consumption of alcohol. Eating disorder treatments The Italian national healthcare service (NHS) operates ** facilities treating diverse eating disorders. Emilia Romagna, the region known to deliver the best healthcare services across the country, has the highest number of such facilities. Different professional figures work in these facilities, most of whom are psychologists.
http://www.cuore.iss.it/eng/survey/cuoredatahttp://www.cuore.iss.it/eng/survey/cuoredata
The Health Examination Survey 2018-2019 of the CUORE Project is coordinated by the Department of Cardiovascular, Endocrine-metabolic Diseases and Aging of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità
The objectives of the survey, addressed to the general adult population (35-74 years), are to:
The survey is conducted in several Italian regions, between North, Central and South; in each region, a sample of 200 people is enrolled, stratified by gender and age group, randomly extracted from the general population residing in a selected municipality. For each age group (35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74) and sex, 25 people are drawn.
In 2023, there were over 5.8 million obese individuals over 18 years of age in Italy. This statistic breaks down this figure by gender and age. According to the data, the most numerous group of obese individuals was found to be men aged between 45 and 54, with around 650,000 people affected by obesity. This figure shows the number of obese individuals in Italy in 2023, by gender and age (in 1,000 people).
Smart Weight, Body Composition, And BMI Scales Market Size 2025-2029
The smart weight, body composition, and bmi scales market size is forecast to increase by USD 115.7 million, at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2024 and 2029.
The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising health consciousness among individuals. This trend is fueled by the increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and body composition. Another key factor propelling market expansion is the innovative features offered by smart scales, such as pregnancy mode, which cater to specific user needs. However, the market faces challenges as well. The proliferation of alternative smart wearable devices and applications poses a threat to the market, as consumers have an abundance of choices for tracking their health metrics. Companies in this market must differentiate themselves by offering unique features and integrating seamlessly with other health and fitness platforms to attract and retain customers. To capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges effectively, market players should focus on continuous innovation, user-centric design, and strategic partnerships.
What will be the Size of the Smart Weight, Body Composition, And BMI Scales Market during the forecast period?
Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free SampleThe smart weight and body composition scale market continues to evolve, driven by advancements in technology and shifting consumer preferences. These devices offer more than just basic weight measurement, providing insights into body composition, muscle mass, body water, bone density, and visceral fat. The market caters to various sectors, including disease prevention, fitness tracking, and health data management. Smart scales integrate user-friendly interfaces and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless data synchronization with mobile apps, allowing for real-time health monitoring and analysis. Marketing strategies focus on personalized feedback, privacy compliance, and user experience (UX) to attract and retain customers.
Differentiation comes from features like segmental body composition analysis, dietary analysis, health coaching, and wellness programs. Regulatory compliance, safety standards, and data security are essential considerations, ensuring the protection of sensitive health information. The market's growth potential is significant, with retail sales and online sales contributing to its expansion. Wellness improvement and weight management remain key applications, while pricing strategies and product differentiation influence market penetration. Manufacturing costs, distribution channels, and software updates impact the competitive landscape. As technology advances, smart scales continue to offer more comprehensive health assessments, integrating with smartphones, wearables, and cloud storage for enhanced functionality and convenience.
How is this Smart Weight, Body Composition, And BMI Scales Industry segmented?
The smart weight, body composition, and bmi scales industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments. Distribution ChannelOfflineOnlinePriceLess than USD100More than USD100TypeWi-FiBluetoothApplicationHouseholdGymOthersGeographyNorth AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeFranceGermanyItalyRussiaAPACChinaJapanSouth KoreaRest of World (ROW)
By Distribution Channel Insights
The offline segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.The market for smart weight, body composition, and BMI scales has seen substantial growth in recent years, with both online and offline channels experiencing significant demand. Online sales enable consumers to purchase these advanced scales from the comfort of their homes, while offline retail outlets provide an opportunity for customers to physically assess the product before making a purchase. Offline channels, including specialty health stores, department stores, hypermarkets, and fitness equipment stores, are particularly effective in reaching a broad consumer base. These retailers often have dedicated sections for health and wellness products, showcasing smart scales alongside other related items. User interface and experience, marketing strategies, data synchronization, Bluetooth connectivity, and sensor technology are integral features of these devices, catering to consumers seeking health risk assessments, muscle mass measurement, segmental body composition analysis, and health data management. Wellness programs, health coaching, body water monitoring, smartphone integration, and personalized feedback are additional features that attract consumers. Regulatory
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Importance: Obesity and metabolic disorders have been associated with an increased risk of cancer and with poorer outcomes in many cohorts of breast cancer (BC) patients, with poor evidence from Mediterranean cohorts.
Objective: To investigate the prognostic potential of anthropometric variables, namely body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), as well as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components, in early BC patients living in a Southern Mediterranean region of Italy.
Design: Prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive early BC patients who were treated between January 2009 and December 2013 in Southern Italy. Median follow-up was 11.8 years and ended on June 15th 2022. Physicians who measured the study variables were blinded to patient groupings.
Setting: Multicenter study enrolling consecutive, early BC patients referred to specialized cancer centers.
Participants: A total of 955 early BC patients consecutively treated at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, “G. Pascale” and at the Policlinico University Hospital “Federico II”, Naples, Italy, were enrolled. All study subjects provided written informed consent to participate.
Intervention(s) (for clinical trials) and exposure (for observational studies): Anthropometric measurements and indices (BMI, hip circumference and WC) were collected. MetS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria. MetS components were categorized as 0, 1-2 or ≥3.
Main Outcomes and Measures: Overall survival and BC-specific survival.
Results: Mean age was 55.3 years (±12.5 years); 61% of patients were post-menopausal. At the end of follow-up, 208 (22%) patients had died, 131 (14%) of whom from BC. Obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) was found in 29% of enrolled patients (14% in pre- and 38% in post-menopause); 24% of patients met the criteria for a diagnosis of MetS (7% in pre- and 36% in post-menopause), whereas 1-2 MetS criteria were found in 53% of patients
High WC or WHR were associated with a moderately increased risk of all-cause mortality (WC ≥ 88 cm, HR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.00-1.94; WHR > 0.85, HR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.12-2.37). Furthermore, an increased risk of all-cause mortality was observed with the presence of MetS (HR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.12-2.32). An increased BC-specific mortality risk was found in obese patients (BMI≥30 kg/m2, HR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.06-2.78) and in those with WC ≥88 (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.12-2.61). High WHR was also associated with increased risk of BC-specific mortality, both when evaluated as a categorical variable (WHR>0.85, HR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.13-2.86) and as a continuous variable (for each 0.1-U increase in WHR, HR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.08-1.63). The presence of MetS was associated with an 81% increased risk of BC-specific mortality (HR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.51-2.85).
These associations varied according to menopausal status. In particular, in pre-menopausal patients higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of both all-cause and BC-specific mortality (HR=1.43 and HR=1.58, respectively). In post-menopausal women an increased risk of all-cause mortality was found only in the presence of ≥3 MetS components (HR=2.77, 95%CI: 1.09-7.06). The associations among anthropometric variables and all-cause and BC-specific mortality also varied according to BC subtype. Triple negative BC was the only disease subtype that wasn’t independently associated with BMI, WC, WHR or MetS or all-cause and BC-specific mortality.
Conclusions and Relevance: Central obesity and metabolic disorders result in a highly increased risk of BC death. The magnitude of this effect suggests that obesity may nullify the benefit of effective BC therapies. Active lifestyle interventions to maintain optimal body weight and to prevent MetS should be recommended for several expected beneficial effects, including a potential reduction in BC-specific mortality.
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(): % values; BMI: body mass index; Hb: hemoglobin concentration; TS%: transferrin saturation %; wt: wild-type variant;*p
In 2019, almost 13 percent of children aged 8 and 9 years in Italy sleeping less than nine hours per night on average were obese. This figure tended to be lower for children who slept longer (except for children sleeping more than ten hours). A similar trend could be observed for overweight children. This statistic shows the percentage of obese and overweight children aged 8 and 9 years in Italy in 2019, by the average hours of sleep.
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IntroductionThe active involvement of end users may overcome socio-economic, cultural and context-related barriers that may reduce health promotion effectiveness in type 2 diabetes control and prevention. The “Cardio-metabolic diseases in immigrants and ethnic minorities: from epidemiology to new prevention strategies” (DIABETHIC) project funded by the European Union through the Italian Ministry of Health includes a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the effectiveness of a co-created health promotion intervention for immigrants affected by type 2 diabetes. This protocol describes the co-creation process and methodological challenges in evaluating co-created health promotion interventions.Methods and analysisBetween November 2023 and July 2024, four Italian primary care centres will recruit 200 immigrants with type 2 diabetes that will be randomised to usual health promotion practice or to the experimental health promotion intervention developed through a participatory process. Endpoints are changes in glycated haemoglobin, Body Mass Index, diet, physical activity and therapeutic adherence at 12 months after recruitment. Qualitative research experts supported the participatory process at local and national levels. According to available evidence and recommendations, the participatory process focused on the three pillars of type 2 diabetes control (diet, physical activity, and therapeutic adherence). To co-create the intervention, interviews, focus groups and role-plays were conducted with patients and immigrants, healthcare workers and representatives of social services. Identified barriers were ranked according to priority and actionability. Given different health promotion practice in the four centres, the intervention was standardised by function (dietary counselling, culturally tailored information materials, access to cultural mediation, training in effective and reflective communication, individual and group meetings) rather than by form (operators involved, protocols and timeframes), which was defined locally by feasibility and by contrasting usual health promotion. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06131411).
In 2019, almost ** percent of children aged 8 and 9 years in Italy with at least one obese parent were also themselves obese. This percentage lowered to *** percent in the case both parents had normal weight or were underweight. This statistic shows the percentage of obese and overweight children aged 8 and 9 years in Italy in 2019, by the weight status of the parents.
People aged 75 years and older were the age group most affected by diabetes in Italy in 2023. According to the data, roughly 1.4 million individuals in this age group suffered from this disease, out of the 3.7 million Italians of all ages suffering from diabetes. The least affected age was 18-19, reporting just six thousand individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Risk factors Being overweight and being physically active less than three times a week are among the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes. As a matter of fact, around 12.5 percent of obese male individuals in Italy had been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2020. In the same year, the prevalence of diabetes among obese females in Italy reached 17.3 percent. When it comes to having a physically inactive lifestyle, the prevalence of diabetes among male individuals with a sedentary lifestyle was slightly higher than among females, with 11.3 percent of sedentary males diagnosed with diabetes. Cost of antidiabetics Between 2014 and 2022, the cost of antidiabetic drugs increased in Italy, from 0.59 euros per DDD (daily defined dose) in 2014, to 0.94 euros per DDD in 2022. Semaglutide, an antidiabetic used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, is by far the drug with the highest cost compared to other antidiabetics, with an average cost of about 16 euros per DDD. On the other hand, metformin, the most used antidiabetic drug in Italy, is also the cheapest, with an average price of 0.19 euros per DDD.
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The age distribution of the body mass index reveals that weight increases hand in hand with age among the Italian population. In 2023, many Italians aged between 65 and 74 were overweight and obese. The age group with the largest share of normal weight people was the one including individuals who were 18 to 24 years old. However, this portion of the population was also the one with the highest incidence of underweight individuals. To put it in numbers, in 2023, *** percent of Italians aged 18 to 24 were underweight. Prevalence of overweight and underweight Overall, the number of overweight individuals exceeded by far the number of people dealing with underweight. The number of overweight people in Italy increased from ****** in 2005 to ****** individuals in 2023. Furthermore, the number of underweight individuals peaked in 2023 as a result of a steadily increasing trend started in 2009. Eating disorders Weight gain or loss is often caused by eating disorders. In 2017, the age group including people aged 20 to 29 years was the one with the highest incidence of both bulimia and anorexia nervosa.