Maltese taxpayers are to fork out Lm33.6 million a year to treat obesity and related complications, according to a consultant paediatrician.

Speaking at a conference on obesity by St James Hospital, consultant Victor Grech said yesterday that the US spent a staggering $75 billion a year to treat obesity, while the EU spent €33 billion per year.

Yet from numerous studies placing Maltese children among the fattest in the world - 25 per cent are obese - Malta is on its way to reaching the levels of obesity seen in the US.

With this in mind, professionals have long been harping on the importance of curbing extra weight among children, especially since around 80 per cent of obese children go on to become obese adults.

Not only is extra weight a major financial burden, but it also eats away years from a person's life. Dr Grech said overweight 40-year-old men live 3.1 years less and obese ones 5.8 years less than healthier counterparts.

The figures are even more alarming when it comes to women, with those who are overweight losing out on 3.3 years, and obese women living around 7.1 years less.

St James Hospital senior medical officer Alex Portelli said heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, asthma and respiratory problems as well as liver disease were among the repercussions of childhood obesity.

"In the near future, obesity will become the number one killer," Dr Portelli said.

Consultant paediatric surgeon Chris Fearne said there have been cases of 20-year-olds suffering heart attacks or serious kidney problems.

"An obese child is predisposed to a multitude of diseases, both in childhood and later on in life," he said.

Children whose parents are obese have a higher risk of obesity. In fact, a child with one obese parent has a 30 per cent risk of becoming obese, while the risk of a child having both parents obese goes up to 60 per cent.

Clinical nutritionist Claire Spiteri encouraged parents to set small and realistic goals that will not discourage their children, urging them not to try and force their children to eat more when they are already full.

In an attempt to tackle extra fat among children, St James Hospital is organising a 12-week summer programme - Leap - to instil in overweight five- to 16-year-olds the concept of being healthy for life.

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