The age distribution of the body mass index reveals that weight increases hand in hand with age among the Italian population. In 2023, many Italians aged between 65 and 74 were overweight and obese. The age group with the largest share of normal weight people was the one including individuals who were 18 to 24 years old. However, this portion of the population was also the one with the highest incidence of underweight individuals. To put it in numbers, in 2023, *** percent of Italians aged 18 to 24 were underweight.Â
Prevalence of overweight and underweight
Overall, the number of overweight individuals exceeded by far the number of people dealing with underweight. The number of overweight people in Italy increased from * in 2005 to * individuals in 2023. Furthermore, the number of underweight individuals peaked in 2023 as a result of a steadily increasing trend started in 2009.  
Eating disorders
Weight gain or loss is often caused by eating disorders. In 2017, the age group including people aged 20 to 29 years was the one with the highest incidence of both bulimia and anorexia nervosa. â¶Ä¯
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Istat. (August 5, 2024). Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy in 2023, by age [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/
Istat. "Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy in 2023, by age." Chart. August 5, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 31, 2026. /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/
Istat. (2024). Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy in 2023, by age. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 31, 2026. /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/
Istat. "Distribution of Body-mass-index (Bmi) in Italy in 2023, by Age." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 5 Aug 2024, /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/
Istat, Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy in 2023, by age ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/ (last visited July 31, 2026)
Distribution of Body-Mass-Index (BMI) in Italy in 2023, by age [Graph], Istat, August 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/727866/distribution-of-body-mass-index-by-age-italy/
