A 2023 report by the National Audit Office highlighted that a large number of children, adolescents and the majority of the adult population are classified as overweight. When compared to EU averages, Malta also ranks high with regards to obesity rates among persons aged 15 years or over. The report also noted that there is a high prevalence of behaviours that impact health, specifically the sup-optimal consumption of fruit and vegetables, the regular consumption of soft drinks and the over-consumption of sweets.
As a government, we decided to address this issue, one of Malta's most critical public health concerns, through targeted, evidence-based research. Following a period of consultations between the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, which I spearhead and the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, we have just launched the Obesity Research Programme.
This partnership brings together the scientific leadership of Xjenza Malta with the public health expertise of the Ministry for Health and Active Aging and aims to generate knowledge that can directly inform effective national interventions. This is a clear reflection of the government's continued political commitment to investing in research as a cornerstone of national policy. Xjenza Malta is taking this new initiative to align scientific inquiry with pressing social issues, thus reaffirming and implementing the government's vision for targeted research and innovation for wellbeing and sustainable development.
The Obesity Research Programme forms part of Xjenza Malta's broader thematic research portfolio and builds on the agency's established expertise in managing health-related research initiatives. Past projects, such as those focused on infectious diseases, cancer research and the COVID-19 response, have laid a solid foundation for this new research call. Through this programme, Xjenza Malta aims to support research specifically focused on the food environment in Malta, with three critical areas of focus that were carefully selected because of their direct influence on public health, and which give the opportunity to implement evidence-based policies that can encourage healthier food choices across society, namely food labelling, food provision and food promotion.
Food labelling empowers consumers by providing clear, accurate and accessible information that helps them make healthier dietary choices and better understand energy-dense foods.
The government and its institutional food providers in Malta aim to promote healthier eating by regulating available food and beverages, but the overall effectiveness and stakeholder awareness fostered by such an approach need further evaluation. These provisions also foster a wellness culture within institutions, demonstrating a commitment to health that builds trust among service users with a potential spillover into the wider community.
Marketing of unhealthy foods heavily influences dietary habits, contributing to obesity through pervasive advertising across multiple media channels that normalises poor eating behaviours. Strong policies to restrict such marketing, combined with enforcement and public awareness, are essential to encourage healthier choices and improve public health outcomes.
This programme was designed and built on the shared understanding that combating obesity requires a structured, locally driven approach that leverages data and research. Its goal is to produce evidence that can directly shape public health policies and interventions aimed at reducing obesity rates and encouraging healthier behaviours. With €300,000 allocated for 2025, the programme will fund up to three research projects, each addressing one of the key thematic areas. Each selected project will receive a grant of up to €100,000, supporting a diverse range of research that will examine the impact of food labelling systems, the effectiveness of food provisions in public institutions, and the role of food labelling in shaping public dietary habits.
The Obesity Research Programme is more than just a call for proposals; it represents an opportunity for collaboration between public entities, academic institutions and private organisations to work together on a shared goal. It requires a concerted effort from all corners of society, with research playing a central role in guiding effective policies and interventions.
Applications for the programme are now open, and the call for proposals will close on 7 July 2025. This initiative stands as a clear example of how targeted research investments can lead to practical, long-term solutions for national challenges, contributing to healthier futures for all Maltese citizens.
Keith Azzopardi Tanti Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation