Childhood obesity : a critical Maltese health issue

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are epidemic and worldwide, at all ages, particularly in Westernised societies. Malta is no exception and indeed, leads this trend. The direct, indirect and long term health risks for the individual and population as a whole are indisputable. Unless tackled, the current Maltese obesity trends will result in an astronomical increase in morbidity and mortality from ischaemic heart disease, stroke and cancers with an estimated crippling additional health budget requirement of at least Lm33.6million per annum. Obesity is arguably the greatest current national health crisis, and a seriously-funded, all-front national campaign must be implemented with urgency in order to assess and address the crisis at all levels including prevention, lifestyle issues and therapy, with outcome monitoring of national interventions and campaigns.