Females should use Women's Day as an inspiration to adopt healthier lifestyles that lead to a longer and better quality life, doctors have stressed.
Although women live an average of six years more than men, these extra years are usually spent with moderate or severe limitations, putting into question the quality of life of those years, Charmaine Gauci, president of the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine, said.
"It is time for all women to take up a healthy lifestyle, including stopping smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet," Dr Gauci said.
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in Europe among men and women, followed by cancer. Dr Gauci said although the incidence of lung cancer is higher among men, it is rising rapidly among women due to an increase in smoking.
The good news is that the number one killer can be largely prevented, which would lead to fewer deaths. Dr Gauci said women who were at risk of developing heart disease - including those with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels, and those who are obese or have a family history of cardiovascular disease - should pay special attention to prevention strategies, including healthy eating and exercise.
However, despite regular warnings by the authorities, the Health Interview Survey, carried out in 2008, showed women were not leading the healthiest of lifestyles.
In fact, more than 60 per cent of women engage in a low level of physical activity. More than 28 per cent of women aged 15 or over are overweight and another 20.6 per cent are obese.
Moreover, almost 16 per cent of females over the age of 15 smoke daily, while another 5.5 per cent smoke occasionally.
However, women are more likely than their male counterparts to seek medical help.
"Many women visit their doctor for conditions related to the reproductive system, including meno-pause, cervical cancer screening and pregnancy. And it is also mostly the mother who accompanies children to their doctor," Dr Gauci said.
Dos and dont's to remain healthy
• Don't smoke, and if you do, talk to your doctor about quitting. If you're pregnant, stopping now will be beneficial to the baby. For tips on how to stop smoking call the quit line on 8007 3333.
• Be physically active. Brisk walks, dancing, swimming and biking are a few examples of moderate physical activity. For those who are not already physically active, start with small changes and work up to at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.
• Eat a healthy diet, putting emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grain and fat-free or low fat milk and dairy products. Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts in your diet and eat foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (or sodium) and added sugars.
• Maintain a healthy weight by balancing calories from foods and drinks with calories burnt during activities. Small dec-reases in calories consumed and an increase in physical activity can prevent gradual weight gain over time.
• Only drink alcohol in moderation, not drinking more than one unit a day. Avoid alcohol altogether if you are pregnant.