The Opposition will present amendments in committee stage to the Obesity Bill to provide for the representation of occupational therapists before the Advisory Committee on Healthy Lifestyle.
Winding up the debate in second reading of the Healthy Lifestyle (Reducing Obesity) Bill – the first Private Member’s Bill to be presented by an Opposition – proposer Robert Cutajar said a foreign NGO would be present in Malta to talk about the experiences of healthy lifestyles in other countries so that Malta could build upon the experiences of others.
The World Health Organisation had said that the Bill and its measures were in line with the UN agency’s vision Health 2020.
Commenting on remarks by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne, Mr Cutajar said that the Opposition considered amending the Bill to include regulations on the advertising of certain food.
Mr Cutajar said that while schools played an important role in the teaching of healthy lifestyles, one had to ensure that parents also educated their children.
Noting that Dr Fearne suggested that the chair of the Advisory Committee should be appointed by the Prime Minister, Mr Cutajar said the two parties would hold discussions on this issue. Speaking about enforcement, the Nationalist MP said that the Bill did not contain any provisions on canteens, the distance that food kiosks needed to keep from schools and what type of food should be sold to students.
It would be the Advisory Council that would decide on such matters.
Turning to local councils, Mr Cutajar said that while Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo had said he agreed with the opening of open-air gyms, others, including Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Chris Agius, were sceptical.
“If one seeks to change the culture, one has to ensure that local councils play an important role with regard to healthy lifestyles,” he said, adding it was important for the government to keep working on lifestyle clinics.
Speaking about the elderly, Mr Cutajar said that day centers should also provide physical activities for those who attended.
Mr Cutajar said he disagreed with certain MPs who opined it was impossible to enforce these types of provisions. Such declarations meant one would have failed before one started.
The Bill was unanimously approved.