Darren Bezzina

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,...

You’ve seen it happen — the missed penalty, the open goal fumbled, the gymnast who nails the routine every day in training but freezes in the final. They call it “choking under pressure.”  But why does it happen? And can athletes learn to stop it? What Does It Mean to “Choke”? Choking is when an athlete fails to perform at their usual level despite being fully prepared , usually because of mental pressure. It’s not about lack of skill — it’s about what happens inside the brain when the moment...

When we think of footballers, we picture strength, discipline, and confidence. But behind the image of control and success, many are struggling in silence . A new study by Ayrton Attard  and Dr Adele Muscat  from the University of Malta  reveals a reality few in Maltese football want to talk about — mental health challenges are widespread among Premier League players , yet support and understanding remain shockingly limited. The study Eight male players from Malta’s Premier League (2023–2024...