Italians feel generally healthy even if they are a little overweight, don't get enough exercise and tend to smoke too much, according to a new report form the welfare ministry.
The lifestyle study was the result of telephone interviews of 21,498 people between the ages of 18 and 69 and surveys made of national and regional prevention programs carried out in 2007.
Welfare Undersecretary Ferruccio Fazio, who holds the portfolio for health, said the results of the study were for the most part positive and indicated that 65% of Italians feel healthy.
On the downside, he observed, was the fact that 28% did not engage in any physical activity, 31% were habitual smokers and 42% were overweight, which included 11% who were obese.
The report also found that 16% of Italians had habits which placed them 'at risk' of alcoholism, 22% suffered from hypertension - although 17% have never checked their blood pressure - and only 28% of people most at risk of catching the flu said they were vaccinated for the 2006-2007 influenza season.
Those most at risk of catching the flu are infants, the elderly and people with chronic or respiratory illnesses.
