Childhood Obesity in Malta: Parents Want Action – But Not Taxes

Malta has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Europe — and it’s not slowing down. According to a new University of Malta study led by Marika Borg, Daniel Cauchi, Charmaine Gauci, and Neville Calleja, over 40% of Maltese primary school children are overweight or obese. The research reveals that while most parents want the government to act, they don’t all agree on how.

The study

This large cross-sectional survey involved 1,169 parents of children aged 5–11 from state, church, and independent schools. It explored:

• The barriers parents face in keeping their children at a healthy weight

• Who parents think is responsible for solving the obesity crisis

• How much public support exists for 22 potential policy measures — from free weight-management clinics to sugar taxes

Key findings

1. Cheap junk food is the biggest barrier - A staggering 93% of parents said fast food is “too easily available.” The food environment — not lack of exercise — was identified as the main obstacle to healthy living.

2. Parents feel responsible — but not alone - Nearly all parents (94%) agreed they play the biggest role in preventing childhood obesity, but most also believe it’s a shared responsibility between families, schools, government, and industry.

3. Most parents want government action now - Over 78% supported immediate intervention, while only 5% opposed it. The pandemic and rising food prices appear to have strengthened the sense of urgency.

4. Most supported policies:

   • Increasing safe spaces for physical activity (94%)

   • Providing free weight management services for children (91%)

   • Ensuring at least one hour of physical activity daily in schools (90%)

   • Subsidising fruit and vegetables (89%)

5. Least supported: taxes on unhealthy food - Taxation policies were unpopular — fewer than half supported them, and about one-third were neutral. Support rose slightly if taxes were ring-fenced to fund healthcare or sport initiatives.

6. Education makes a difference - Parents with higher education levels were more supportive of public health regulation (e.g., restricting unhealthy adverts or reformulating food), while lower-income and less-educated families were less supportive of restrictions or taxes.

7. Obese parents and children were less supportive of change - Parents struggling with obesity themselves — or with overweight children — were ironically less likely to support policies promoting physical activity spaces. This suggests that stigma and low self-efficacy remain major barriers.

   
   

What this means for Malta

Malta’s obesity crisis cannot be solved through individual willpower alone. Parents overwhelmingly recognise that the environment is stacked against them — from fast food on every corner to limited public spaces for safe activity.

The findings show a clear public appetite for positive, enabling measures — more parks, school-based exercise, free health support — but reluctance towards punitive or financial ones like taxation.

To build effective policy, government must strike a balance:

• Encourage healthy behaviours through access and incentives

• Use targeted taxes or industry regulations only if revenue is transparently reinvested

• Ensure equity by supporting low-income families most affected by unhealthy environments

The big takeaway

Parents are ready for bold action — they just want solutions that help, not punish. Tackling obesity in Malta means reshaping the environment, not blaming individuals.

It’s time for a “health in all policies” approach — where education, planning, transport, and economy all pull in the same direction.

Reference: Borg, M., Cauchi, D., Gauci, C., & Calleja, N. (2023). Addressing childhood obesity through policy: A cross-sectional study in Malta. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 64(3), E323–E336. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.3.2938