Men win gold, women take bronze for obesity

Some 58 per cent of Maltese adults are overweight, with 22 per cent being obese, according to statistics released by the Health Ministry on European Obesity Day, yesterday.

The figure is higher than the European average, where over 50 per cent of both men and women are overweight, with roughly 23 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men being obese.

Maltese men in fact take the gold medal for the highest rate of obesity in Europe while women win bronze, the minister, Joe Cassar said, quoting the European Health Interview Survey 2008.

The same study found that physical activity was not popular among the Maltese but about 74 per cent ate fruit daily, with 51 per cent saying they included vegetables in their diet every day.

Although excess weight was generally regarded an individual’s problem, it was very much a country burden, the minister pointed out.

Being also a risk factor in 80 per cent of diabetes cases, 35 per cent of heart problems and 55 per cent of hypertensive cases, obesity was a public health, social and economic concern, he said.

This year, the Health Department was campaigning against so-called yo-yo diets for long term physical and mental health. “It is important to emphasise that a diet lasting only a few weeks is capable of doing more harm than good,” Dr Cassar said. Small, sustained, daily lifestyle changes were ideal, he advised.

It was recommended that people of all ages exercise for at least 45 minutes a day, the minister continued.

Reducing portion size and switching to more nutritious food was also emphasised. This included foodstuffs made from wheat and cereals, fruit and vegetables and switching to low-fat meats and dairy products.

“Moderation is the name of the game,” he said.

The minister, who has recently also lost a substantial amount of weight, announced the introduction of weight management classes for professionals working in the state hospital, which has had 60 applicants until yesterday.

The campaign also included the distribution of information guides on obesity and its problems to GPs and pharmacists, who are usually the first-point of contact for health advice.

The minister emphasised the importance of seeking qualified professional help when trying to lose weight. “There is a lot of help and support out there for people who need it,” health promotion director Charmaine Gauci said.