Health Minister Chris Fearne has explained that the increase in the rate of obesity in Malta between 2015 (25.3%) and 2016 (34%) is not in fact a genuine increase because the way in which the rates were calculated were very different, making it inadequate to compare like with like.

He explained that in 2015, the information gathered about the rate of obesity in Malta was done so through self-reporting, meaning that people submitted their estimated weight, height, etc. In 2016 however a more comprehensive examination survey was carried out meaning every participant was measures and weighed, meaning it was far more accurate than the 2015 measurements.

Shadow whip Claudette Buttigieg asked him to explain the discrepancy in the form of a parliamentary question, where she asked why despite the heavy spending and the attempt to reach WHO 2020 goals on obesity reduction, the rate jumped from roughly 25% to 34%.

Fearne had gone on to say that member state’s legal obligations for EU goals require self-reporting because this is far more sustainable and takes up fewer resources. The 2016 examined survey is far more complex to carry out, adding that the last time such a comprehensive examination took place locally was in 1984.

He stressed that because of the different ways of gathering information it is not appropriate to compare 2015 with 2016 statistics.

Obesity in Malta for the year 2016 cost some €36 million. More than a quarter of the Maltese population over 15 years of age is obese.

A report which was tabled in Parliament on Monday, titled ‘Weighing the Costs of Obesity in Malta’ looks into an issue which afflicts thousands of Maltese and European citizens alike.

The report shows how the prevalence of obesity has increased from 23% in 2002 to 25% in 2015. BMI (Body Mass Index) measurements reveal how 34% of the Maltese population between 18 and 70 years, reported as being obese in the year 2016.

These worrying results show that the country is far from reaching the 2020 target rate of obesity at 18%. Besides bearing a serious health issue, obesity also costs a staggering €36.3 million. This money is used through direct costs such as the consumption of pharmaceuticals and primary health care and other indirect costs. The costs are estimated to go up by another €20 million. Dissecting these costs, obesity costs some €97 per capita.

The report shows how the costs of obesity are absorbing 8.1% of the annual public expenditure for health, or 5.6% of the national healthcare expenditure.