Schoolchildren across the island will be weighed and measured as part of a survey to combat obesity. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Schoolchildren will have their weight and height measured as part of a survey aimed at combating the “obesity epidemic”.

School satchels will also be weighed in a bid to help improve students’ overall health.

The nationwide study will start in September and will target all 46,000 primary and secondary school students between the ages of five and 16 scattered across Malta’s government, Church and private schools.

Consultant paediatrician Victor Grech said the national child BMI (body mass index) survey would involve measuring students’ height and weight to calculate their BMI. A high BMI means a student is overweight or obese.

The measuring exercise, expected to take about two months, will take place in schools during PE lessons by trained members of staff to ensure uniformity. Calibrated weight scales have already been bought and will also be used to weigh the students’ bags.

Speaking at St Clare College, in Pembroke where a pilot exercise is under way, Prof. Grech said figures showed that 25 per cent of children at school entry age were overweight or obese.

This study will help us be more aware, and when we see others who are thinner, we will be encouraged to look after our health

This survey by the education and health ministries in collaboration with the Malta Association of Physiotherapists sought to have a clear snapshot of the situation and Malta was the first country undertaking it.

Student Lynn Lia, 14, feels awareness about the risks of obesity is important. “This study will help us be more aware, and when we see others who are thinner – we don’t have to try to be like them – we will be encouraged to look after our health,” she said. Her friend, Maxine Spagnol, added: “Even if you are thin you will be made more aware and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Frank Fabri, director general of operations at the Education Ministry, said parents’ consent would be obtained before students were measured. The findings would not mention any names and in line with data protection regulations.

Physiotherapists Association president Victoria Massalha said some students in Forms 1 to 5 will undergo back-pain assessment to understand if there was a link with bag weight or body weight.

Family doctors have long been insisting that, according to international standards, the weight of school bags should not exceed 10 per cent of the child’s body weight. This, however, did not mean that overweight children were expected to carry heavier bags.

Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said the survey, together with other ongoing studies, would help guide policy to combat obesity, which he described as an international “epidemic”.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said the success of the survey would not be measured by the data collected but by the changes brought about. He said the government had to then take decisions to bring about effective change. However, this could only be achieved with the collaboration of parents.

Water-only policy

Water will be the only drink available to students in government schools come September, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has said.

This is one of the “tough decisions” that the government will be taking to ensure the health of schoolchildren.

“We know that soft drinks are responsible for the majority of children’s sugar intake. Something must be done,” he said.

In March, the World Health Organisation recommended that adults and children cut the amount of sugar they consume every day in fizzy drinks and sweet foods to lower their risk of obesity and tooth decay.

One half-litre soft drink contains 15 to 18 teaspoons of sugar, which amounts to 240 calories.

Who will be measured?

45,819 students in 2,328 classrooms

State schools: 25,149 students in 1,417 classrooms
Church schools: 15,095 students in 622 classrooms
Private schools: 5,575 students in 289 classrooms