This is indeed a very important consumer issue which, in Malta, is not given the importance it deserves. Here follow some extracts from the Commission's Eurobarometer on Health, Food and Nutrition, forwarded by Lilian Vassallo:

Most Europeans consider themselves in good health, but 38 per cent feel they are overweight, according to the results of the latest Eurobarometer on Health, Food and Nutrition presented by the European Commission today.

The survey reveals that 95 per cent of EU citizens agree that obesity is harmful for health, addresses the health and physical characteristics of Europeans, their diet and general eating habits, problems related to being overweight, and their physical activity levels.

Eating more vegetables and less fat are the most frequent changes that Europeans say they are introducing in their eating habits.

The EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, Markos Kyprianou, said: "This survey provides us with valuable insights into the concerns of EU citizens on health and nutrition.

"EU citizens are aware there is a problem with overweight and obesity in Europe, and that much depends on their willingness to address it and change their lifestyle."

Fifty-five per cent of Europeans think that their weight is about right; 38 per cent think that their weight is too high. And more women (44 per cent) than men (32 per cent) consider themselves overweight.

At a European level, approximately one in five respondents declared that he or she had dieted over the past 12 months. Women are more likely than men to have dieted or changed their eating habits.

Losing weight and staying healthy are the main reasons given by respondents for this. Eighty-three per cent of respondents agree that childhood obesity has increased over the past five years. Nine out of ten respondents consider that food advertising and promotion influences children in their food and drink choices.

Another important issue is a lack of exercise. Respondents declared that they spend on average just over six hours a day sitting during a normal day. Fifty-one per cent declared that they have performed some physical activity at work.

Although almost 90 per cent of respondents declared that they had performed some physical activity over the past seven days by moving from place to place, only 22 per cent reported that they had performed a lot of physical activity.

Few Europeans play sport or participate in recreational or leisure activities in an intensive way.

The Eurobarometer on Health, Food and Nutrition is available at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/phpublication/eurobarometersen.htm.

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