Italians seeing increase in health issues

An increasing number of Italians face serious health issues brought on by sedentary lifestyles, smoking and drinking, Italy's Higher Health Institute said. High cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory illness and type-2 diabetes, all of which are directly related to diet and lack of exercise, are on the rise in Italy, Italy's ANSA news agency reported. The report from the Higher Health Institute, released Friday, found that one in 10 Italians are obese and 25 percent of the country's population suffer from elevated cholesterol levels. Health issues directly related to poor diet, smoking and drinking are more prevalent in central and southern Italy, the report said. Yet, 66 percent of Italians said they feel good, the Higher Health Institute said, compared to four percent who said they do not.