A Nationalist government led by Bernard Grech would work on a national study on the existing obesity strategy, the Nationalist Party said on Monday.

During a press conference, the PN also urged the government to update the public on the success of this strategy because “it seems that it has clearly failed.”

Several studies show that Malta is still facing a problem with obesity, so much so that it is considered an obese island in the Mediterranean. The problem is also considered a major public health challenge in Malta.

The Sport Promotion Unit should also be strengthened, and each school should have its own physical education teachers for a full week, putting an end to the peripatetic system.

It should also be ensured that each college is set with state-of-the-art sports facilities to be used both by students as well as the outside community after school hours. Open air gyms, adventure parks and equipment to compensate for sedentary living should all be included.

The Nationalist Party believes that the obesity strategy should be updated and commits itself to a scientific study once in government to identify where the current strategy has worked and where it has failed. Radical changes wherever necessary would also be made.

The studies also show that between 40% and 42% of children in Maltese schools have an obesity problem.

Education spokesperson Clyde Puli said that the Nationalist Party recognises the importance of the fight against obesity and believes that this should start from inside Maltese schools.

It is evident that physical education in schools should be an essential part of the strategy to fight obesity. Therefore, this subject should gain the respect of the public but also of policy makers. This should also be done by increasing physical education lessons and by introducing more sport disciplines along with the subject of the sport career development program, the PN said.

Meanwhile, the party also questioned why, in light of all this, a number of supply teachers who were recruited last year were not given an extended contract this year when there is a great need to increase physical activity programs.

Puli noted that while in recent years investment has been made in sports resources for schools, “one ought to wonder what is happening with their maintenance in a number of schools.”

The Nationalist Party also highlighted that in order to overcome this challenge, children should be encouraged to follow healthy food diets and eat more nutritious food by having the possibility of finding them within schools.

“Educating our children about the health aspects and consequences of obesity as part of our curriculum is also important so that a balanced and healthy diet becomes part of their lifestyle. Regular monitoring of the children’s diet and setting clear goals should also be put in place,” the PN said.