YHP Italy

According to the World Health Organization, more than 80% of adolescents globally do not engage in sufficient daily physical activity.¹ In this context, Italy presents a particularly concerning scenario. It has one of the highest rates of childhood overweight in Europe², and a significant portion of the population is physically inactive; 52% of Italian adults do not meet recommended activity levels, a figure that rises dramatically to over 90% among children.³

These statistics are even more alarming when considered alongside the widespread lack of awareness among young people regarding the importance of prevention. In a survey of 10,000 students aged 12 to 19, the percentage of adolescents who did not believe that behaviours could prevent cardiovascular disease rose from 30% in 2019 to over 45% in 2023. During the same period, the perception of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, as one of the leading causes of death was cut nearly in half - from 30% down to just 16%.⁴

To raise awareness on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles, starting with regular participation in physical activity and sports.

The data on alcohol consumption, smoking, and unhealthy eating habits among young Italians is deeply concerning. Recent studies reveal that among adolescents aged 14 to 17, 11% smoke regularly, 13.9% smoke occasionally, and 20% have experimented with smoking. By the age of 17, nearly 45% of teenagers have been exposed to tobacco use. Alarmingly, 51% of young smokers began smoking at the age of 14, 43% started in middle school, and 4.5% initiated smoking as early as elementary school, between the ages of 9 and 10.⁵

Alcohol consumption is similarly widespread. In 2020, 49% of boys and 44% of girls aged 11 to 25 reported having consumed at least one alcoholic drink over the course of the year. Notably, among females aged 21 to 25, alcohol consumption—whether with or without food—increased by 19.7%, while the number of binge drinkers rose by 40.5%. In Italy, binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a short period, now affects nearly 1 million young people between the ages of 11 and 25.⁶

Equally critical is the data on nutrition and dietary behaviours. Adolescence is a formative stage during which young people assert their independence - including through food choices. From the early years of middle school, many students begin eating outside the home. To save time and money - or to conform to peer trends - young people often opt for fast/junk food, contributing to poor, long-term dietary habits.⁷

To raise awareness on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices - such as avoiding smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, and adopting healthy eating habits - for the prevention of NCDs in later life.

The programme centres on raising student awareness and fostering engagement through peer-to-peer education, with a focus on key themes like health, sustainability, and overall mental and physical well-being. By promoting active participation and collaborative learning, it seeks to build a supportive, informed and empowered school community.

Beyond the classroom, the initiative also extends into the wider community through innovative events such as hackathons and open days. These gatherings explore practical applications of information and communication technologies, experimenting with platforms like TikTok to enhance regional outreach and connect more effectively with younger audiences.

1,000 students will take part in the programme each year.

Both programmes focus on key behavioural, social and environmental determinants that contribute to premature death and reduced quality of life worldwide. The impact is particularly relevant in countries like Italy, where significant territorial and income disparities affect access to healthcare.

By engaging students from dozens of public schools across various Italian regions - as well as their families and local communities - these initiatives aim to raise awareness and promote healthier behaviours. The greatest benefit is expected among low-income populations, who are at higher risk of being excluded from adequate care within Italy’s national health service.

References:

Programme 1

1. World Health Organization (WHO) data on adolescent physical activity: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity#:~:text=81%25%20of%20adolescents%20(aged%2011,%25%2C%20not%20meeting%20WHO%20guidelines.

2. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/09-12-2020-italy-over-20-of-children-are-overweight-says-new-report

3. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/librariesprovider2/country-sites/physical-activity-factsheet---italy-20217eeabdff-1d88-461d-9ffb-6be264e2f712.pdf?sfvrsn=ef7d3dad_1&download=true

4. Survey by the Association of Adolescence Laboratory and IARD (International Alliance for Responsible Drinking) Research Institute, in collaboration with the A. De Gasperis Foundation, 2023.

Programme 2

5. Foresta D e il Gruppo di lavoro HBSC Italia 2018. Fumo e alcol tra gli adolescenti nelle Regioni italiane: i dati della sorveglianza Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2018. Boll Epidemiol Naz 2021;2(3):36-42.

6. Epidemiologia e monitoraggio alcol-correlato in Italia e nelle Regioni. Valutazione dell’Osservatorio Nazionale Alcol sull’impatto del consumo di alcol ai fini dell’implementazione delle attività del Piano Nazionale Alcol e Salute. Rapporto 2022. Roma: Istituto Superiore di Sanità; 2022. (Rapporti ISTISAN 22/1).

7. https://www.epicentro.iss.it/hbsc/rapporto-internazionale2021-2022-abitudini-alimentari