Healthy eating and physical activity

My ministry is committed to implementing the Education for Life concept as promoted by UNESCO. An integral component is that of learning how to make healthy choices and how to live a healthy life.

We are well aware that we must continue to address the health of our students. As such, earlier this week, together with my colleague Chris Fearne, we launched the “Whole School Approach to a Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity” policy that supports healthy behaviours in order to reduce obesity, chronic disease and enhance well-being.

The overall consumption of healthy foods has declined amidst the changing demand and accessibility of food, increasing convenience of ‘junk’ and ready-made food, poor eating habits and prevalence of a more sedentary lifestyle. Interventions targeted at healthy nutrition need to occur early in childhood and adolescence to prevent or reverse the adverse health effects of being overweight and poor eating habits.

Therefore knowing and understanding that proper nutrition and physical activity have a significant impact on one’s ability to learn is crucial for students. This brings with it the realisation that learning, attainment and health are intrinsically linked.

Schools provide a critical environment for encouraging healthy behaviours. In many cases, life-long habits and behaviours are formed during primary and middle school years. Schools offer an opportunity to engage students in healthy eating and regular physical activity and to reinforce important health messages. Schools also provide a bridge to stimulate parental involvement in shaping children’s habits and attitudes about healthy lifestyle choices. This is why we are placing healthy food, nutrition and physical activity high in priority on every school agenda.

Eating patterns have a significant effect on health and well-being. For example, sugar-sweetened beverages are major contributors to obesity and dental caries. Malta is considered one of the highest soda consumers per capita in the world. Data from an HBSC study shows that the consumption of soft drinks in Malta was much higher than the international average for 2010 as indicated in the following table (1).

The findings above clearly indicate the need of proactive future measures to be adopted to promote a healthier diet.

Physical activity is one of the most basic human functions and needs which has benefits across the lifespan. There is strong evidence that children and adolescents benefit from physical activity through improved cardio respiratory and muscular fitness and bone health. Children’s level of physical activity or sport is positively associated with cognitive functioning or academic success. Besides, there is a growing body of evidence that shows that inactive children are more likely to become inactive adults.

Between 2006 and 2010 there has been a marked increase in overall physical activity among children in Malta. Nevertheless data shows that there are up to 14% of Maltese 13-year old children who did not undertake any moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in 2006. In the HBSC survey carried out in 2010, figures show that more boys and girls practised at least one hour of physical activity on a daily basis.

The success of this policy requires that tour schools work together with policymakers, parents and communities to create an environment where students eat healthfully, become physically active and develop lifelong habits that contribute to wellness.

Whilst empowering children to achieve the required physical and health literacy, we need to make provisions for a more flexible curriculum which highlights health and nutrition and which promotes physical activity.

Evarist Bartolo is Minister of Education and Employment