Fano (PU) – Educating children from an early age to maintain a healthy and balanced diet helps prevent disorders or pathologies that are later difficult to cure. It also raises awareness among families about the importance of physical activity, starting in adolescence.

An important warning is issued by psychologist, psychotherapist, doctor of motor sciences, and philosopher Sammy Marcantognini:
“In Italy, despite adopting a Mediterranean diet and having high-quality food,” says Marcantognini, “there is one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe.”

The reasons for this issue are many: from the frenetic pace of life that prevents parents from always being present at meals, to a general lack of patience when it comes to teaching children what is right or wrong to eat.

Much of my work, he explains, is based on creating a ‘culture of prevention’ and educating families on the right approach to managing and controlling the early onset of eating disorders—first and foremost, obesity—by addressing emotional dynamics and developing parent-child communication strategies.

The mind and body are deeply connected, and our psychological state can directly influence essential bodily functions such as hunger and satiety. In conditions of stress, anxiety, depression, or other psychological disorders, hunger signals can become distorted, leading to dysfunctional eating behaviors.

Chronic stress increases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can disrupt normal eating patterns. For some people, heightened cortisol leads to cravings for sugar- and fat-rich foods (comfort foods), while others may experience a total loss of appetite.

Anxiety is often linked to appetite dysregulation. Some individuals may overeat to self-soothe, while others may suffer from nausea or physical blocks that make eating difficult. These effects can be intensified by disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Depression affects eating in various ways: some people may completely lose interest in food (hyporexia), while others find comfort in eating, leading to overeating. These changes stem from chemical imbalances in the brain, particularly involving serotonin and dopamine, which regulate both mood and hunger.

Psychological conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (BED) are marked by a disordered relationship with food. In such cases, hunger and satiety signals are often profoundly compromised and disconnected from the body’s real physiological needs.

A widespread issue is emotional hunger, where individuals eat not out of true physical need, but in response to negative emotions such as sadness, boredom, loneliness, or stress. This can create a harmful cycle of overeating, followed by guilt and emotional distress.

To combat these patterns, approaches like mindfulness and intuitive eating are gaining popularity. These methods help people tune into the body’s natural hunger and fullness cues and distinguish between physical hunger and emotional hunger.

In many cases, tackling the root psychological issues through psychotherapy or other forms of mental health support is essential for re-establishing a healthy relationship with food. Techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are especially effective in helping individuals manage the connection between emotions and eating behaviors.

If left unaddressed, these disruptions can lead to serious physical complications, such as obesity or malnutrition, and further worsen existing psychological conditions. This underscores the need for an integrated approach that combines psychological support, nutritional education, and medical care where needed.

Lending a helping hand to Marcantognini is Nutritionist Dr. Laura Rinaldi, a nutrition specialist. She educates mothers—who often manage grocery shopping and meal preparation for the family—on which foods to prioritize and which to avoid, especially when it comes to the sports sector.

It is important to understand:

• What to eat before and after physical activity
  
  
• Which foods help replenish lost fluids
  
  
• Which foods to limit to enhance performance
  
  
• What balanced nutrition truly means
  
  
• How to prevent metabolic and eating disorders
  
  
• How to manage and maintain a healthy weight
  
  

The doctor offers many practical tips and quick, easy recipes to ensure that the family table always features a balanced, healthy, and fresh meal.

All of this.