Food Patterns, Diabetes and Overweight/Obesity and Some Socio-Economic Indicators in the Italy Regions

Background: There were over 3.5 million cases of diabetes in Italy In 2015. Research has provided a better understanding of the role of dietary patterns and their relation with socio-economic conditions and non-communicable diseases. Objective: To identify the differences in mortality rate due to type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the different regions of Italy and their relation with change in dietary patterns in the framework of some economic indicators. Methods: We analyse the mortality rate of diabetes and the prevalence of overweight and obesity by region in Italy. The most frequent foods (kcal per capita per day) from the Food Balance Sheet released by the Food and Agriculture Organization, were organized it for decades from 1961 to 2013. The average annual expenditure of several foods was calculated. Gross Domestic Product and the Gini coefficient for each region were calculated. Results: Mortality rates for diabetes and the percentage of overweight and obesity show a continuous increase and they were differ in each region. Wheat showed a decrease in apparent consumption, while consumption of food of animal origin, vegetable oils and animal fats increased. The prices of sweets, packaged food and sugary drinks decreased. Conclusions: Promoting healthy and ways of life to reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases requires a multi-sectorial management of the social determinants of health.