Obesity as a pathology: challenges at the Simdo conference in Palermo
The article discusses how obesity is increasingly being recognized as one of the major health challenges of our time, influenced by poor dietary habits, high-calorie foods, and sedentary lifestyles. The real challenge for doctors and patients is to recognize obesity as a pathology and not as a social stigma. This is the central theme of the twenty-third Congress of the Italian Society of Metabolism, Diabetes, and Obesity (Simdo), which will be held from tomorrow to October 26 at the Saracen Sands Hotel & Congress Centre in Isola delle Femmine.
The opening ceremony will take place at the Casa di Cura Santa Chiara in Partinico, a center of excellence for diabetes and obesity founded by Simdo’s president, Vincenzo Provenzano. During the congress opening, a keynote lecture titled, highlighting how this condition disproportionately affects less affluent groups, will be presented.
Provenzano emphasizes the importance of considering obesity as a chronic disease, as defined by the World Health Organization. However, despite increasing awareness, the DDL S. 1074, which proposes the recognition of obesity as a chronic disease, is still in the approval phase and is not adequately funded. This leads to a situation where the resources and medications needed to address obesity remain inaccessible to many.
The article also discusses the innovations and in-depth discussions at the congress. This year, the congress will focus on the interaction between diabetes mellitus and obesity, with a particular focus on therapeutic strategies. Among the innovations, a mini-course on the ketogenic diet, which will explore its benefits and clinical applications, will be one of the main attractions. In addition, surgical options such as bariatric surgery and new medications that, in some cases, offer results comparable to surgical interventions will be discussed. There will also be a discussion on behavioral pathologies related to eating, such as anorexia and bulimia, and on “diabetes 3” or brain diabetes, which highlights insulin resistance at the brain level.
The article ends with a call to collaboration, highlighting the need for an integrated approach and active involvement of all social actors, including governments, health institutions, and communities, to address the complex issue of obesity and ensure access to effective treatments for all. The hope is that the Simdo congress will increase awareness and promote concrete actions to address this health emergency with determination and innovation.
L’obesità come patologia: le sfide del congresso Simdo a Palermo
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