The body mass index of all secondary school children is to be calculated in an ongoing survey as part of the Healthy Eating Lifestyle Plan.

The survey was launched by Education Minister Dolores Cristina who said that Malta had a problem of obesity and children were leading a more sedentary life than before.

The first survey will start in the coming days and continue next year.

Its purpose is to collect much needed statistics on childhood obesity so that action can be taken about it. The survey will be continued every year in order to chart progress.

The survey was launched at a press conference at St Clare’s College in Pembroke.

The education authorities were promoting a healthy lifestyle among children but the survey would enable them to direct their focus better, officials said.

Dr Anthony Xuereb, who is heading the survey, said the aim of the survey was not for direct action for children found to be obese, but the collection of data for action on a national scale.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.