As most readers already know, my brother has an intellectual disability which, among other things, affects his short-term memory. But whilst he forgets where he has put his shoes, he never forgets what he’s had for lunch or dinner. In fact, he loves his food so much that he can remember weeks of lunches and dinners in full flabbergasting detail.

This means that every day, when he gets home from the adult day centre he attends, he calls me and enthusiastically tells me what he’s had for lunch. This daily meal is provided by a government contractor that supplies all the resource centres in Malta and Gozo.

Every day that phone call is a bittersweet experience because whilst I look forward to the call, every time I end up cringing, squirming and fuming with anger, because every single day the meals consist of either burgers or pasta or sandwiches or sausages.

Because of their condition, their restricted physicality, and mostly because of this bad diet, my brother and most of his peers are overweight if not obese. This only compounds their disability and does absolutely nothing to enhance their independence. The centre’s staff does its best to keep the clients active but, let’s face it, there’s no amount of activity that’s going to counteract years of daily overeating and unhealthy food.

Parents are told that the budget given to the government contractor is a meagre €1 per person. If this is the case, it’s no wonder that they’re being served such artery-clogging venom, because as all those who have tried will tell you, eating healthily is by far more expensive than eating a quick stomach-filling meal of fat and preservatives, and a decent meal will certainly cost more than €1.

Now, believe me, this is not a political rant because the situation has been the same for ever and a day, but I was very happy (albeit a bit peeved with the delay) that only last week the Opposition presented a private member's bill aimed at combating obesity.

The bill was presented by deputy leader Mario de Marco and PN spokesman for youth and sport Robert Cutajar and among other things, it proposes the following:

1.     The setting up of an advisory council on a healthy lifestyle which will give recommendations on action plans, strategies and even the kind of food that can be consumed in schools.

2.     That a minimum number of hours should be dedicated to physical education in schools.

3.     That a compulsory amount of local council funds are dedicated for sports and health related activities.

4.     That the sale of certain foods and beverages be banned in schools and their close proximity.

5.     And finally, and perhaps most importantly, the bill proposes that anyone who breaks these ‘rules’ will be liable to a fine between €500 and €2500.

When I spoke to Mr Cutajar (who also promised to go on a diet), he claimed that problems related to obesity and a lack of healthy lifestyles are costing Maltese taxpayers some €19 million a year. Given that Malta retains one of the highest levels of obesity in Western Europe, I’d say that Mr Cutajar is being rather conservative with that figure.

In Malta, with 74 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women being overweight or obese, I’d say that the problem is so serious that no amount of activity in schools or day centres is going to make a significant difference. Although exercising is good and should be recommended, it is scientifically proven that 80 per cent of weight changes are a direct result of food intake, and that only 20 per cent is the result of physical activity, or lack of.  

So, when it comes to children and people who depend on others to feed them, it is the food that is being served to them that we need to address first.

In simpler terms – it’s practically of no use (for his weight at least) that I take my brother to the gym three times a week, if he keeps being fed double, if not triple, his daily calorie requirement.

So whilst I welcome initiatives such as this private member’s bill proposed by the Opposition, if for anything else but for the fact that it gives us a break from the ongoing whining and negative complaining with which the Opposition was becoming synonymous, I do hope that the initiative is taken further, wider and by far more seriously than all the health policies that have been dished out to date. I also hope that it is by far more inclusive and takes into account those who, like my brother, don’t get a choice.

Maybe, just maybe, I will live to see the day when my brother calls to tell me that he’s had salad and grilled chicken for lunch at the centre.