The health directorate has set up an anti-obesity stand in Valletta. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

An anti-obesity campaign was launched yesterday to raise awareness about adequate food portion sizes and daily physical exercise.

A stand with information booklets has been set up on Republic Street in Valletta as part of the health directorate’s outreach in the community.

“This campaign is being held to attract those that don’t look for us,” said Charmaine Gauci, director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, adding that the directorate was complementing the campaign with radio talk shows.

A fun run will also be held on the Mtarfa bypass on July 23 at 7pm. Registration opens at 6pm.

The campaign is focusing on prevention of diseases by maintaining healthy portions both at home and outdoors. Portions keep getting larger, increasing the national problem of obesity, Dr Gauci said.

Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia noted prevention was the best protection against diseases, but the Maltese were not including enough fruit and vegetables in their diet.

More than a third of the population was overweight and 22 per cent of these were obese.

To tackle the high rate of obese children, leaflets with healthy recipes are being given out at schools. Dr Farrugia stressed the importance of providing them with a healthy lunch, not just snacks.

He said the Government will rope in the local councils to tackle the problem in the community.

More information is available by calling 2326 6000.