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Review
. 2021 Apr;26(3):771-778.
doi: 10.1007/s40519-020-00936-1. Epub 2020 May 25.

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

Mikiko Watanabe  1 , Renata Risi  2 , Francesca De Giorgi  2 , Dario Tuccinardi  3 , Stefania Mariani  2 , Sabrina Basciani  2 , Carla Lubrano  2 , Andrea Lenzi  2 , Lucio Gnessi  2
Affiliations
Review

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

Mikiko Watanabe et al. Eat Weight Disord. 2021 Apr.

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.

Keywords: Health policy; Italy; National health service; Obesity; Public health.

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