Ahead of World Obesity Day, Il Messaggero published an in-depth interview by Pietro Paganini dedicated to his recent book “Obesity. Instructions for rebellion”, written together with Michele Carruba and featuring a foreword by Member of the European Parliament Letizia Moratti. The interview explores the broader debate on obesity, prevention, and the role of public policy. 

Read the full interview in Italian in Il Messaggero, or find the English summary below.

Obesity is not merely a matter of body weight. It is a symptom of a deeper loss of individual balance. Public debate often reduces obesity to aesthetics, a purely nutritional issue, or a trend linked to longevity. In reality, it is the tip of a much larger iceberg. The real issue is the loss of physical, metabolic, psychological, and social equilibrium. When balance is lost, cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases increase, generating not only medical costs but also significant economic and social consequences.

From Nutrient Blame to Lifestyle Awareness

Policy discussions frequently focus on blaming specific nutrients or food categories. Yet the human body functions as a thermodynamic system, shaped by the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Today, sedentary lifestyles remain a largely overlooked factor. Reduced physical activity, poor sleep patterns, prolonged exposure to digital platforms, obesogenic environments, and chronic stress all contribute to metabolic imbalance.

If taxation is considered a public health tool, the provocative question remains: why do we tax food but not platforms that incentivise inactivity?

The Mediterranean Diet as a Cultural Model

The Mediterranean Diet should not be interpreted as a simple list of “good” foods. It represents a cultural framework grounded in moderation, variety, movement, conviviality, and responsibility. Its resilience lies in adaptability and balance, not in any single “miracle” ingredient. The relationship between mind, body, and environment defines its sustainability.

Education, Personalization, and the Future of Prevention

Short-term bans or targeted food taxes are political shortcuts, that risk oversimplifying a complex phenomenon. Effective prevention requires long-term investment in education, starting from schools, alongside urban planning that promotes movement and healthier daily routines. Personalized approaches, supported by wearable technologies and artificial intelligence, can strengthen individual metabolic awareness.

The future of public health lies less in standardisation and more in personalisation. The conversation must move beyond simplistic distinctions such as “processed vs natural”. Food classification does not solve complexity. Portion size, frequency, variety, and context remain decisive factors.

Equilibrium is not static harmony but continuous adjustment. It is the foundation not only of individual health, but of social and democratic stability as well.

Missed the book presentation in Rome? Find out more here>>>