On October 9 2025, Italy took the unprecedented step of approving a law that recognises obesity as a chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease. The law came into effect on October 25.
To date, no other European country has enacted a national law that recognises obesity with such breadth: as a chronic condition with specific guarantees for prevention, treatment, and follow-up included in public healthcare.
Some European countries have taken steps in the same direction. Portugal’s Despacho 12634/2023, approved in December 2023, implemented an Intergrated Care Model for the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity within its national health service. While this is not law, it defines obesity as a chronic public health problem, and strengthens specialised treatment networks.
