Michele Picaro· ECR

Confirmed

Italy has recognized obesity as a disease by law.

Omissions

• The specific law number (149/2025) and its full title were not mentioned in the claim
• The law was approved in October 2025, approximately 5 months before the claim was made
• Italy was the first country worldwide to pass such legislation
• The law defines obesity specifically as a 'chronic, progressive and relapsing disease'

Sources

• AcademicThe Lancet Diabetes & EndocrinologyItaly legally recognised obesity as a chronic disease through Law No. 149/2025
• AcademicKarger - Obesity FactsItaly's Law 149/2025 formally recognises obesity as a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease and mandates a national framework for prevention and treatment
• SecondaryEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)Italy approved Law No. 149/2025, the first national law worldwide that officially recognizes obesity as a chronic disease, on October 1, 2025
• SecondaryThe ConversationOn October 9 2025, Italy took the unprecedented step of approving a law that recognises obesity as a chronic, progressive, and relapsing disease