Hundreds take up weight-loss challenge

More than 400 people crammed into the Catholic Institute, Floriana yesterday in answer to Claudette Pace's challenge to embark on a national weight loss programme and adopt a healthy lifestyle for life.

The large attendance was a clear sign of people's thirst to address their weight problems and change their lives.

The programme is called L-Isfida Ghall-Kbar Biss (The Challenge for Adults Only) which is a play on the word kbar, in Maltese meaning both big and adult). It is a free, 12-week programme geared for people over 25 who need to lose weight.

Kicking off on Monday, it is the brainchild of Ms Pace, a popular television presenter, who says she has had enough of yo-yo dieting and wants to lose weight while creating awareness at the same time.

Saint James Hospital, the Health Promotion Department, numerous fitness experts, nutritionists, psychologists and private entities have all been roped in and they will be providing their services free of charge because they truly believe something has to be done to tackle obesity.

Statistics show that over 60 per cent of the Maltese population are either overweight or obese, while Maltese children are the most obese in the EU.

Ms Pace told the gathering that this challenge was not a television programme and people would only be able to participate if they had a doctor's certificate and were prepared to commit themselves for a whole 12 weeks.

"When I embarked on this challenge I appealed for more people to join in because I realise that I am weak and there is weight in numbers but I never expected such a turn-out," she joked.

"We all joke about our weight and present excuses that we weigh so much because of our big bones, or wonder how we grew to this size by hardly eating anything. However, when we are alone and trying to fit into our clothes and cannot, that's when it hurts," she added.

Obesity has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as the "epidemic of the 21st century", leading to conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic problems.

Ms Pace said the applicants will be split into smaller groups of 10 persons, according to their weight and needs. Each group will meet for two hours once a week at one of the fitness centres associated with the challenge and also be provided with a healthy eating plan that has to be approved by the department and the hospital.

In each session professional nutritionists will monitor the eating habits and weight of participants, while gym instructors will guide them through an adequate fitness programme.

Anyone wishing to help or join the challenge can call on 7941 4345. Applications can be collected from Saint James Hospital in Sliema, Zabbar and Gozo or Transforma Clinic, in Attard and Zabbar. Otherwise visit www.di-ve.com