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The country that inspired the Mediterranean diet is now battling a childhood obesity crisis. What went wrong?
Aadya Jha / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jul 26, 2026, 20:06 IST
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When the world’s healthiest diet is no longer enough
For decades, Italy symbolised healthy eating. Fresh vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, legumes and fish made the Mediterranean diet famous across the globe. But a recent BBC report tells a very different story.In southern Italy’s Campania region, more than 40% of eight- and nine-year-old children are overweight, making it one of Europe’s worst-affected areas. The report follows teenagers like 17-year-old Salvatore, who weighs 170 kg and is waiting for treatment for severe obesity, highlighting how dramatically children’s health has changed.The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that childhood obesity has become a global epidemic, with the number of children and adolescents living with obesity rising sharply over the past few decades.
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It’s not one meal, it’s an entire lifestyle that’s changing
According to Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine & Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, the crisis goes far beyond individual food choices, “The issue of childhood obesity in Italy is not about the individual or family, but about the whole population. It represents a significant shift in feeding, play and time behaviour of children. Children in many parts of the world are now consuming more calorie-dense foods, foods with a high sugar content, packaged foods and larger quantities of food, while physical activity is decreasing over time.”The BBC report echoes this concern. Italian doctors say traditional home-cooked meals have increasingly been replaced by calorie-dense processed foods, sugary snacks and oversized portions. Even foods closely associated with Italy are often served today with highly processed toppings, while children are spending less time outdoors than previous generations.The Mediterranean diet itself has not failed. Rather, fewer families are following it consistently.
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The effects don’t end in childhood
Extra weight during childhood rarely stays confined to childhood. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children with obesity face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, sleep disorders and mental health challenges.Dr Dutta explained, “Poor lifestyle choices developed in the early years of life can persist through adulthood. Overweight children are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease and heart disease. Excess weight also affects sleep, mobility, self-confidence and mental health.”One reason the problem often goes unnoticed is that many parents fail to recognise unhealthy weight gain until symptoms appear. As highlighted in the BBC report, some families seek medical help for persistent cough, stomach problems or fatigue without realising excess weight may be contributing to these issues.
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Why blaming children is never the answer
Experts agree that shame is not a treatment.”The answer is not to impose severe diets or to guilt children,” Dr Dutta said. “Children are still developing and have different nutritional requirements from adults. The emphasis should be on establishing healthy family routines.”He recommends practical, sustainable habits instead of strict restrictions. Families should include more fruits, vegetables and adequate protein, reduce sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods, and encourage outdoor play, cycling, walking or sports every day.Sleep also deserves attention. According to Dr Dutta, poor sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, increasing the likelihood of overeating. Reducing screen time, especially before bedtime, can therefore become an important part of preventing childhood obesity.Perhaps the most powerful influence is parental behaviour. Children often copy what they see at home. Healthy habits are much easier to adopt when the entire family follows them together.
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A warning not just for Italy, but for the world
Italy’s experience carries an important lesson for countries like India, where processed foods, sedentary lifestyles and increasing screen time are becoming more common.”Children should not be labelled or shamed because of their weight. Parents, schools and healthcare workers must work together to create healthier environments. Children need access to nutritious food and safe spaces for physical activity,” Dutta added.He added that parents should seek medical advice if a child’s weight increases rapidly or if symptoms such as breathlessness during exercise, excessive tiredness or loud snoring develop. Early intervention can help identify the underlying causes and prevent long-term complications.Italy once inspired the world with the Mediterranean diet. Today, it offers another lesson, healthy traditions alone cannot protect children unless modern lifestyles support them too.
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Medical experts consulted
This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:Dr (Col) Vijay Dutta, Director, Internal Medicine & Respiratory Services, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital.Inputs were used to explain how changing eating habits, declining physical activity and other lifestyle factors are driving the rise in childhood obesity in Italy, and why experts say early intervention is key.
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