04 Aug Some of us don’t get to choose
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 puts 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 center that 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 centers 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 center’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 meager €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 like so forever 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 to combat obesity.
The bill was presented by deputy leader Mario de Marco and PN spokesman for youth and sport Robert Cutajar. Amongst other things, the bill proposes the following:
The setting up of an advisory council on healthy lifestyle which will give recommendations on action plans, strategies, and even the kind of food which can be consumed in schools.
A minimum number of hours dedicated for physical education in schools.
That a compulsory amount of local council funds are dedicated for sports and health related activities.
The banning of sale of certain foods and beverages in schools and their close proximity.
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 vouched 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.
With 74% of men and 58% of Maltese women being overweight or obese I’d say that the problem is so serious that no amount of activity in schools or day centers is going to make a significant difference. Though exercising is good and should be recommended, it is a scientifically proven that 80% of weight changes are a direct result of food intake, and that only 20% is a 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 not for anything else because it gives us a break from the ongoing whining and negative complaining that the Opposition was becoming synonymous with, 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 center.
*this article was first published on The Malta Independent on Sunday.
