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Obesity treatment within the Italian national healthcare system tertiary care centers: what can we learn?

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity is soaring all over the world, and Italy is reaching the same pace. Similar to other countries, the Italian healthcare system counts on a three-tier model for obesity care, and each region has freedom in the implementation of guidelines. No national record is currently available to monitor the actual situation throughout the country.

Purpose

To provide a report of the current status on the availability of specialized public obesity care services in Italy.

Methods

Regional prevalence of obesity was extrapolated from publicly available data. Data on facilities for the management of obesity were retrieved from records provided by national scientific societies. Whenever possible, data was verified through online research and direct contact.

Results

We report a north–south and east–west gradient regarding the presence of obesity focused facilities, with an inverse correlation with the regional prevalence of obesity (R = 0.25, p = 0.03). Medical-oriented centers appear homogeneous in the multidisciplinary approach, the presence of a bariatric surgery division, the availability of support materials and groups, with no major difference on follow-up frequency. Surgery-oriented centers have a more capillary territorial distribution than the medically oriented, but not enough data was retrieved to provide a thorough description of their characteristics.

Conclusion

Obtaining a clear picture of the situation and providing consistent care across the country is a challenging task due to the decentralized organization of regions. We provide a first sketch, reporting that the model is applied unevenly, and we suggest feasible actions to improve the situation in our country and elsewhere.

Level of evidence

Level V, narrative review.

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Availability of data and material

All data other than SIO records is publicly available. SIO records will be made available upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Italian Society for Obesity (SIO) for providing records of their affiliated centers.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Mikiko Watanabe, Renata Risi, Francesca De Giorgi, Stefania Mariani, Sabrina Basciani, Carla Lubrano, Andrea Lenzi & Lucio Gnessi

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Dario Tuccinardi

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  1. Mikiko Watanabe
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  2. Renata Risi
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  3. Francesca De Giorgi
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  5. Stefania Mariani
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  6. Sabrina Basciani
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  7. Carla Lubrano
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  8. Andrea Lenzi
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  9. Lucio Gnessi
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Correspondence to Mikiko Watanabe.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection Italian Society of Obesity (SIO) Reviews.

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Watanabe, M., Risi, R., De Giorgi, F. et al. Obesity treatment within the Italian national healthcare system tertiary care centers: what can we learn?. Eat Weight Disord 26, 771–778 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-00936-1

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