In anticipation of World Obesity Day, which is observed today, March 4, the World Health Organization is redirecting attention to a chronic, multifactorial disease that it refers to as a "non-communicable pandemic". It affects over a billion people worldwide, and the number is increasing in Italy as well. In the country, about six million people — 12% of the population — live with obesity, while 47% of adults are overweight. The issue also affects younger generations: one child out of three is overweight. The discrepancy between perception and actuality is also noteworthy: although three-quarters of Italians acknowledge that excess weight poses a significant health risk, only 2.7% identify as obese. A critical issue is the relationship between obesity and mental health. The Italian Society of Neuropsychopharmacology's first systematic survey in six regions found that 17% of patients treated by mental health facilities are obese, compared to 10% of the general population. The difference is significantly greater among young people aged 18 to 34: 13.7% against 5.5%.