The rush of modern life in Italy is changing everything from the workforce to diet, and that has health officials concerned.

Twenty years ago, few Americans cooked with olive oil or ate risotto at home. But today some ingredients, considered staples in Italian and Italian-American ethnic neighborhoods, are making their way into the mainstream.

Italian food brings to mind pasta and sauces. But seafood is also a major part of the Italian diet, especially in towns along the coast. And Italy has a lot of coastline.

Italian food is the top choice among ethnic cuisines, according to the National Restaurant Association. For most people, it's the pasta, from linguine to lasagna, that rates so high. And in Italy, of course, pasta is more than just a favorite dish -- it's a daily staple.