Doctors point to a direct link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. I am not a doctor and neither am I inclined to argue with experts on health issues. I just take their advice. However, this is sometimes hard to follow.

My wife and I used to eat out every Sunday but we have now stopped because it has become almost impossible to be offered a choice of healthy food. We have yet to find an eating place where one can choose boiled potatoes instead of chips swimming in oil.

It is also very rare to be given two types of fresh vegetables with your meat or fish. The best restaurants can do is to offer a small portion from a frozen packet of mixed carrots, cauliflower and broccoli.

We used to ask if our meat could be steamed, which often led to a surprised look by the waiter.   As for dessert, there are the usual cakes and ice cream on offer.

If you want a quick snack and ask for a takeaway sandwich made with wholemeal bread, you’ll have no luck either.

Takeaway outlets don’t offer anything that is healthy. If you buy your food from the supermarket, no processed food is free of fat, sugar or salt.

It is no wonder that the rate of diabetes in Malta is among the highest in Europe.