The Meloni government has a problem with eating disorders

The news is from yesterday, January 8, 2024. In the recently approved Budget Law, the Meloni government has foreseen a cut of 25 million euros from the National Fund for countering eating and nutrition disorders, effectively canceling it altogether. These funds, previously allocated, contributed to the establishment of a national network of clinics and the institution of a special "Percorso Lilla" (Lilla Path), as well as campaigns and awareness events on the topic. If these sums had been allocated, there was a reason, a real social and health emergency, highlighted by the numbers. During the pandemic, the diagnosed cases of anorexia and bulimia among the young doubled. According to data from the Ministry of Health covering the period from 2019 to 2023, which combines various sources (from hospital discharge forms to visits to specialized centers, including clinics and emergency rooms), in 2019 there were about 680,000 cases of Eating Disorders (DCA). In 2020, 879,000 cases; in 2021, 1 million and 230,000 cases; and in 2022, 1 million and 450,000 cases. Three million people are currently undergoing treatment in Italy for these pathologies. The Register of causes of death records 3,158 deaths in 2022 related to these diagnoses, with a higher incidence in the regions of the peninsula where fewer care facilities are available. The average age is around 35 years.

Meloni Government and Eating Disorders: a Lack of Understanding?

If the data is as it is - and it speaks loud and clear - why was the decision made to cut previously allocated funds? The truth is that the Meloni government has always had some kind of problem in understanding these types of disorders. On August 22, 2022, in the midst of the electoral campaign, in a now-deleted post on Twitter, Giorgia Meloni wrote: "Youth deviances: drugs, alcoholism, smoking, gambling, self-harm, obesity, anorexia, bullying, baby gangs, hikikomori. Combating youth deviances with sports and culture," making an incomprehensible mix of very different things, all equally serious and to be addressed, and putting together various types of pathologies, all labeled as deviances to be cured with sports and culture, not as serious issues to be addressed with a national youth support network made up of therapists, professionals, and doctors. Since then, evidently, nothing has changed (if not worsened), and now the Fund will no longer be funded, effectively abandoning victims of eating and behavior disorders and their families. Ignorance or bad faith?

Other Measures

This is not the only measure in recent months that has caused uproar. Just in the last few weeks, in order, the government announced a new bonus for working mothers from which, however, are excluded: "Mothers of only one child (even if disabled), domestic workers, retirees, fixed-term workers, freelance professionals, unemployed, occasional collaborators." So practically a large percentage, not to mention women without children. On the other hand, VAT on diapers, swabs, and infant products has returned to 10% after dropping to 5% in 2023. Child car seats (which are mandatory) are now at 22%. Still (we're not done yet!), starting January 1, 2024, tax breaks for first-time homebuyers under 36 years old with an ISEE less than 40,000 euros, introduced in 2021, are no longer in effect. An uncompromising government, that does not assist and does not nurture, so you have to fend for yourselves. A government that contradicts itself.

Ambiguity on the Maternity (and More) Issue

The contradiction is evident, the overall picture discouraging. The very same government that highlights the cornerstone of its policy and electoral campaign as the increase in birth rates and aid to traditional families then proves inadequate when it comes to assisting them, with proclamations on the importance (and coolness) of becoming young mothers and giving up any other ambition to become housewives, but they are, in fact, empty proclamations. The same government that wants its young people to be healthy, wealthy, and ready to start a family as true Italian soldiers then ignores the social and health emergencies that are right in front of their eyes, especially the epidemic of eating and behavior disorders, cutting funds in the only way these emergencies could be contained: strengthening public healthcare at the expense of private, awareness campaigns, prevention, and education. In short, everything that was trying to be done with the Fund. So, what do we deduce? That only rich people have the right to be treated, and others have to manage with sports or culture, whatever that may mean, reducing individual instances that are and should be guaranteed for everyone, and for which we should fight.

If you think you suffer from eating and nutrition behavior disorders, seek help from a doctor and a psychotherapist. Throughout Italy, there are associations that can help you get in touch with someone or offer support services.