Mar 03, 2026
3 min read
World Obesity Day is March 4. According to new data released by the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology (Sinpf), 17% of patients receiving mental health care are obese.
Mediterranean diet: 24 hours a day fresh food pyramid.Focus on physical activity, sunlight and cohabitation.
March 4 is World Obesity DayNew data published by the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology (SINPF) show that 17% of psychiatric patients are obese.
The Mediterranean diet, a longevity model that is the envy of the whole world, is updated by adding for the first time the quantity and quality of nutrients, as well as their seasonal arrangement, which must be in harmony with biological, hormonal and metabolic rhythms during the day.This goes hand in hand with preliminary data published by the Italian Society of Neuro Psycho Pharmacology (Sinpf), which shows that 17% of patients followed by mental health care are obese, compared to the 10% among the general Italian population.Furthermore, an important fact is highlighted: the gap is even wider among young people between the ages of 18 and 34.
"Obesity is one of the biggest chronic diseases of our time and affects people with mental disorders - explained Claudio Mencacci and Matteo Balestrieri, presidents of Sinpf -. Many studies show that people with bipolar, bipolar or schizophrenic disorders have twice the risk of being overweight and obese compared to the general population. These preliminary stages".
March 4, World Obesity Day
March 4 is World Obesity Day, established in 2015 by the World Obesity Federation with the aim of educating citizens and institutions and encouraging the prevention of this pathology, discrimination, prejudice and the use of stereotypes and stigmatizing language towards people living with this condition.Preliminary data from an ongoing study coordinated by the Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology approx.2,000 mental health professionals report a significantly higher prevalence of obesity compared to the general population.The data reinforce the need to integrate mental health and physical health in treatment pathways, as 17% of patients following mental health services have obesity, compared to 10% found in the general Italian population.The study included around 2,000 users of mental health services in different regions - Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Liguria, Piedmont, Tuscany and Puglia - comparing the data collected with the general Italian population collected by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (PASSI 24202).
- Read also: The new culture of mental health: the strategic plan was approved with indicators for the region
- Also read: Recognition of obesity as a disease: Prevention, Treatment and Medical Education Bill approved in the Senate
New food pyramid
Mediterranean cuisine has been updated and becomes "3D".This adds a third dimension to the quality and quantity of nutrients: time.It does not change what is eaten, but when it is eaten.A new model developed by the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) together with the Italian Association of Diet and Nutrition (ADI) published in Current Nutrition Reports is similar to the traditional pyramid of biological clocks and changes in hormones such as insulin, cortisol and melatonin.The goal is to provide a unique strategy against obesity and metabolic diseases.The decision is simple: the metabolism follows the daily rhythm, the publication explains.Leptin and ghrelin also change over a 24-hour period, affecting appetite, energy expenditure and sleep quality.Eating the same food at different times can lead to different metabolic effects that will affect the risk of overweight, type 2 diabetes, and endocrine function.
As explained by Claudio Mencacci and Matteo Balestreri, president of Sinpf, clinical studies also show that obesity can negatively affect mental processes, impair cognitive function, and affect the progression of certain diseases."There are many reasons why certain psychoactive substances can promote weight gain. An important role is played by unhealthy lifestyles, social and economic hardships that lead to unhealthy diets and unrestricted diets in response to negative emotions," said Salvi.
Mediterranean food orange
Therefore, the new pyramid introduces the symbols of the Sun and the Moon.In the morning, when insulin sensitivity is highest, make room for complex carbohydrates (preferably whole), legumes, fruit and vegetables.Shifting 5% of your energy from fat to carbohydrates at breakfast significantly reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome.In the evening, when blood sugars peak and the tendency to store fat increases, lean proteins, vegetables and "sleep" foods such as nuts, seeds and dairy products are rich in tryptophan and melatonin.Eating 40 grams of protein before bed can increase muscle protein synthesis by 33%.
Extra virgin olive oil remains central, usable at any time: high consumption reduces heart attack risk by 39% and mortality by half;an additional 10 grams per day reduces the risk by another 10%.
pay attention to chronology
The real novelty is the focus on timing types."Owls" are more active at night, and they focus on food at night, which negatively affects metabolism.To avoid metabolic "social jet lag", the new pyramid invites them to bring their caloric load back to the daytime."Lark", an early riser, instead includes a benefit: a rich breakfast, a hearty lunch, a light and protein dinner.
It's not just nutrition
It's not just a diet, because the model combines exercise with sunlight, good sleep, friendliness and respect for time.A scientific update that solidifies the Mediterranean diet as a holistic lifestyle, increasingly personal and based on endocrinological evidence.
