The neighborhoods were friendly to a walking or bicycling environment. People used their bikes as a main transport and the streets of the main square in Vicenza were filled with pedestrians and bicyclists. There were not many people driving cars. The fact that bicycling is incorporated into everyday Italian lifestyle makes it easier for the population to stay healthy.

The overall social environment of Italians also contributes to positive health outcomes. While on the train, I notice d a father reading to a younger child who I assumed to be his son. The train system contributes to the social health of Italians because it is not created for people to rush or catered to be express. The regional trains and everyone at the train station works efficiently but it seemed relaxed instead of rushed.

People of all ages go to the geletaria and this creates a social gathering. It places the importance of eating a gelato as a means of coming together and enjoying each other’s companies.       by Feven

-Doug Germano

Adequate sidewalks allow individuals, families, and elderly folk to bike, walk, and bring strollers.

Grocery stores in convenient locations allow customers to walk and bike, instead of forcing them to drive and park in crammed parking lots.

A city planned with good public health in mind focuses on minimal car usage and maximum walking/biking potential. High-density neighborhoods with ample sidewalks provide a space for individuals and families to interact by simply walking to each other’s homes or congregating in central areas. This promotes both, their physical and psychological well being. A greater concentration of people in an area also urges businesses to prop up within close proximity. If coffee shops, banks, grocery stores, and other facilities can be found in the same vacinity, people will not need to use cars as frequently, which encourages physical activity and promotes better environmental health. Although Vicenza was designed centuries ago, its dense city plan provides a good model for good health-inducing, modern cities.

High-density neighborhoods promote community interaction without having to drive far distances.

Part of the reason why Italians are some of the healthiest people in the world is because of their high quality food.  As a class we visited the Mariga salami factory and learned that this factory is only allowed to manage pork.  According to the law, one factory building is not allowed to produce more than one type of meat for sanitation reasons.   The food is inspected by veterinarians, and the factory is expected to follow very high standards.

The Mariga factory is a family run business, and I also think this atmosphere helps to sustain a healthy lifestyle.  The man pictured in the center picture is an immigrant from Ghana who was hired at the factory a couple of years ago. He has become a part of the family and loves living and working in Vicenza.  Happiness is definitely a key to healthiness, and every worker/family member was always smiling and excited to be at work and with their family.

Compare to all the cities I have been to so far in Italy, Vicenza is a very peaceful and enjoyable place full of history. However, the very first thing I observed since I got here was the number of smokers. Everywhere, I go people are smoking; teens, adults, elders, male or/and female. It was shocking to see that many people smoke. Italians are known for their Mediterranean diet and healthy living. Also, Italians care very much about their physical appearance so they tuned to eat in small portions, exercise (walking, bicycling and running) and live healthy. However, it is contradictory to me that a society who cares that much about their beauty, physical appearances and well being still smoke as much while smoking is known to damage skin cells and other organs in the body such as the lung. The younger generation might be using this tactic to stay slim and slender but the numbers of Lung Cancer cases are increasing in Italy everyday. Therefore, banning smoking from public setting/ gathering places (restaurants, schools, hospitals…) is great start in creating a healthy society free of smoking!

Here are three pictures from the weekly Tuesday and Thursday market in Vicenza’s main square. Asides from the cheap deals on clothes, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, toys, plants, etc, positive health outcomes are correlated by those who drop by. As seen in the pictures, families (including pet dogs) and friends shop together or stop to enjoy each other’s company and socialize. People of various ages are seen with their bikes and parents are out pushing their child’s stroller through the market. Physical activity, social interactions, and fresh air on a sunny day all contribute to positive health outcomes. -Joann U.

-Angela Armstrong

Close family relations is often seen throughout the streets of Italy. For example, the picture below shows several members of a family relaxing in the piazza of Florence together. By spending time together, they create a strong bond that improves psychological health in each individual. – Melody Maa

While walking around Italy, I have noticed that an emphasis on family activity has led to kids being very active. Families take regular strolls, with kids running  about. One of the most amusing trends I have noticed is how many kids walk next to their empty strollers. Personally, I would love it if someone would push me around all day. However, these kids have grown accustomed to a society where walking appears to be way more fun than sitting. With this love for physical activity, I think that Italian children will still be better off than Americans,  even with an ever deteriorating diet.

-Eric

Italians enjoy positive health because they know how to relax. This man appears to be taking a nap in the middle of the day, known as siesta, while customers peruse his merchandise. Resting more probably has a positive health outcome for Italians.

Walking around the center of Vicenza on any afternoon/evening (especially Sunday), it’s impossible to miss the hoards of Italians leisurely strolling the streets, often greeting each other and stopping for conversation. Well-dressed couples walk together, stopping to look at shops and stands. This cultural phenomenon is the Passeggiata, or evening stroll, and it’s a delightful people-watching experience. The photograph above was taken on a Friday afternoon, around 5 PM, of an elegant couple wandering slowly on one of the smaller streets near the historic main square. I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the woman’s hair was, and how picturesque and traditional they appeared.

This cultural/social ritual is for Italians of all ages, and must have a positive health impact. Though I think the walking is considered more of a social custom than exercise, it certainly is a healthy habit that promotes physical activity. As an American, the prospect of walking around town in nice clothing for no other reason than to walk and socialize is unheard of. But the historic center of the city layout is conducive to this type of tradition as well, while streets in the U.S. cater much more to cars than socializing pedestrians.

Below is another photo of the busy main square Sunday evening. There was a small fair with many vendors. This bustling stall sold bread and pastries. While this fair doesn’t occur every Sunday, the sheer number of people in the background gives an idea of how popular a custom the passeggiata is.

People bike for transportation…both young and old.

Families bike together.  It’s nice way to incorporate physical activity and spending time with family members.  It would be nice to see more families exercising together in America.  I feel that American schedules are so hectic and families rarely spend enough time together.

These guys are essentially getting paid for physical activity.  They use their bikes to give people tours of the city all day long.

Jogging is another common form of exercise that I’ve seen in Italy.  Even in the middle of the day where the sun is extremely hot, I will see joggers.  That takes a lot of dedication!    Gyms are not as common in Italy as they are in America.  Why pay to exercise when you can do it outside for free?

Walking is a very common form of physical activity.  From the places in Italy that I’ve been to, streets are well-paved and are pedestrian-friendly, which helps promote walking.  I see people walking outside every day, but Sundays are the days that many people are out.  I think that walking in Italy is seen as more of a social occasion or simple transportation from place to place.  It’s easier for people to be physically active if there are other motives behind it–i.e. meeting up with a friend, going to supermarket, etc.  I feel that it’s harder for people to be physically active if they know they need to do it for the sole purpose of exercise.  In America, I see many people walk at parks or beaches, but there are many locations that are not safe or well-structured enough for everyday walking.  Coupled with the high density of cars on the roads, walking to get from place to place is not as common in America.

I haven’t seen kayaking as often as biking or jogging, but it’s a very cool sport and form of exercise.  Maybe kayaking is more popular in the coastal area of Italy.

Basketball at the park.

Kids at the playground getting physical activity.

We went to a McDonalds for lunch. The first thing I noticed was the more expensive prices, in comparison to America.  In America, McDonalds is cheap and is popular among lower-income individuals, resulting in higher rates of overweight and obesity amongthis population.  If prices of fast food restaurants went up, maybe less people would eat out there and instead cook healthier meals at home.

Another thing that stood out was the smaller portion sizes of everything on the menu.  The right side is a small and the left side is a medium.  These are much smaller than what you would find in American McDonalds.  All food portion sizes in Italy are much smaller than America.  This definitely helps in preventing high rates of overweight and obesity.  When you go out to American restaurants, the amount of food they give you is so much…more calories than a person needs at one meal.

The happy meals are also smaller and healthier.  The burger seemed smaller and they provide you with a yogurt drink.  I’ve noticed that American happy meals are becoming healthier, which is definitely a good sign. For example, they are giving choices such as sliced apples and milk instead of fries and soda.

I ordered a caesar salad and they gave me a dressing that contained extra virgin olive oil and vinegar, which is much healthier than the creamy, high-fat caesar dressing.  In America, I’ve seen a trend in offering healthier salad dressing options, which is definitely a good sign in helping decrease overweight and obesity.

This is from one of our authentic Italian dinners with several courses.  The dinner lasted four hours.  Spending time with those at your table and having delicious Italian food helps promote health because eating a meal is seen as social occasion where you get to spend time with others.  This helps in decreasing levels of stress and anxiety.  With many American families, meals are typically rushed and sometimes they are even eaten on the go (i.e. in cars or while walking).  It’s nice to actually sit down for a few hours and just enjoy the food and your company.