Sport and Health, together with the Italian diabetology scientific societies AMD and SID united under the acronym FeSDI-Alliance for Diabetes, and the representatives of the political world of the Parliamentary Intergroups “Obesity, diabetes and chronic non-communicable diseases” and “Quality of life in cities ”, have renewed the memorandum of understanding for the promotion of healthy lifestyles and raising awareness on the prevention of diabetes and obesity in cities.
The main objective of this agreement is to promote “team play” between the scientific, political and sporting world to support initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of physical activity as a prevention tool and highlighting the critical issues of urban contexts and of the suburbs of large cities, where diabetes strikes more frequently.
Istat data says that 36.3% of Italians are sedentary, 38.8% of women and 33.7% of men. 70% of the population who do not exercise is over 75 years old. According to statistics, in Italy more than 50% of people with diabetes live in the main urban centers of the country, while a third live in the 14 metropolitan cities. A phenomenon, known as “urban diabetes”, which highlights the impact of the city lifestyle on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, underlining the importance of intervening on sedentary lifestyle habits, poor nutrition and poor physical activity.
“The protocol signed today strengthens our action to promote and spread physical activity and the culture of well-being – declared the President of Sport and Health, Marco Mezzaroma -. Sport has an important driving force in spreading values and messages, especially on important issues such as obesity and diabetes mellitus and health in general. Developing sport, allowing anyone to practice it, also means promoting the culture of well-being, well aware of interpreting the Government’s intentions to promote physical activity as a “natural medicine”. Particularly important is then educating on correct nutrition, starting above all from the most young. In this sense we greatly appreciate the “teamwork” which sees us act as a link between the world of politics and institutions, represented by the parliamentary intergroups and that of health, represented instead by the federation of diabetes societies”.
“Sport is a ‘drug’ that has no contraindications and is good for all ages – claimed Senator Daniela SbrolliniPresident of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Quality of Life in Cities and of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Obesity and Diabetes and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Vice President of the 10th Permanent Commission (Social Affairs, Health, Public and Private Work, Social Security) of the Senate -. Promoting sport and physical activity means acting for the health of citizens. As parliamentary intergroups we are strongly committed to this objective, and I myself have presented a bill, Senate Act no. 135 of the XIX Legislature of 13 October 2022, to give paediatricians, general practitioners and specialists the possibility of include it in a medical prescription, so that families can take advantage of tax deductions. It is essential to put this issue at the center of prevention policies and the institutional agenda, and to facilitate the conditions that allow people of all ages to practice sports and physical activity.”
“Sport is a tool for investing in improving the health of our country – he said instead Senator Mario OcchiutoPresident of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Quality of Life in Cities, Secretary of the 7th Permanent Commission (Culture and cultural heritage, public education) of the Senate -. It is essential to place it at the center of urban contexts, promoting the ‘Healthy City’ model, understood as a context in which all environmental, social, economic and cultural elements contribute to a salutogenic and non-pathogenic objective. It is necessary to develop urban policies that encourage physical activity within the framework of ‘preventive medicine’, in which sport can play a key role, breaking the vicious circle created between poor health conditions, socio-economic poverty, low level of education and marginalization. For this reason it is important to carry forward a common work which, as happens with this memorandum of understanding, allows the recognition of the educational, social and promotion value of the psychophysical well-being of sporting activity”.
The representatives of the scientific diabetology societies, Riccardo Candido and Angelo Avogaro, highlighted the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes, as well as the fundamental role of physical activity as a therapy and tool for improving the health of citizens.
“Intercepting people who have developed the disease as soon as possible and preventing others from falling ill are the two guidelines on which to set up a diabetes containment strategy that is effective and sustainable – he highlighted Riccardo Candido, President FeSDI and AMD – In addition to extensive screening campaigns, a profound cultural change is needed, especially among the new generations, to understand how eating habits and exercise are crucial aspects for our state of health. We hope that the renewed agreement with Sport and Health and the Parliamentary Intergroups will help us to promote this change”.
“With awareness campaigns, we want to make citizens fully aware of the importance of a balanced diet and regular physical activity, two fundamental pillars in the prevention of diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, the implementation of targeted screening programs will allow us to identify cases at risk of diabetes early and intervene promptly. We are determined to work incessantly to reverse the growth trend of diabetes and obesity to improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens and align Italy with the Global Objectives established by the WHO by 2030: guaranteeing diagnosis to 80% of people with diabetes, achieve 80% control of blood sugar and 80% control of blood pressure. Only through a coordinated and continuous effort can we hope to achieve significant and lasting results. However, it is necessary to create an alliance with citizens and patients and encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors with the creation of opportunities, infrastructures and a new idea of the city, made up of paths for pedestrians and bicycles and short-distance services” he has declared Angelo Avogaro, President SID.
In conclusion, the renewal of the protocol represents an important step forward in the fight against diabetes and obesity in Italian cities, highlighting the joint commitment of all parties involved in promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness among the population on the importance of physical activity for general well-being.