Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/682623
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 MAY 2016 6 News MARTINA BORG WHEN a New York Times columnist made some re- marks about Malta's eat- ing habits back in De- cember, he was bound to inflict something of a sting. James Kanter claimed that the Mal- tese had lost sight of the healthy and rec- ommended Mediter- ranean diet – despite Malta's position at the heart of the region – to opt for greasy junk foods and sporting expanding girths. That same month, the 2015 Eu- ropean health report published by the World Health Organisa- tion (WHO) revealed that the Maltese had become the fattest population in the EU, with 68.5% of men and 59.6% of women over the age of 18 found to be over- weight. Those estimates contrast with data from the health ministry, whose studies suggest that 22% of the Maltese population is obese, and a further 36% over- weight. The only silver lining is WHO's predictions for 2025, putting Malta's rates where they are today, meaning they won't get worse, while the rest of the West will see expanding waist- lines. But even health minister Chris Fearne, in a launch of a campaign for healthy eating and living, said that as many as 41% of school- children were classified as obese or overweight, suggesting that drastic action was necessary to prevent such weight problems at an early age. Various campaigns have been taken in hand: a nationwide school approach to healthy eat- ing bans sugary foods and drinks from canteens, as well as a cam- paign to encourage physical ac- tivity during break times. But beyond the school walls, junk food is readily available to children and adults alike, with relatively cheap prices putting the food within easy reach. Official statistics on 'junk food outlets' – it's not a designation anybody readily admits to – are not available, but at least 39 fran- chises in Malta offer some form of fast food, not to mention at least 56 outlets listed as pastiz- zerias on the Yellow Pages. The Malta Tourism Authority says it does not have specific catering establishment categories for fast food outlets, and that the nature of food served is ultimately up to the operator to decide. But it had licensed some 125 takeaway outlets and a stag- gering 767 snack bars up to March this year, although these do not neces- sarily all serve junk food. Although perhaps difficult to estimate the exact numbers of such establishments, the enduring image of double- parked cars with flashing headlights, passengers scram- bling frantically to purchase a snack, is something of a fixture on Maltese roads, not least junk food vendors lining up the roads during public events. Various pastizzi retailers told MaltaToday the savoury cheese- cake remains favoured at prac- tically any time of the day. And although a number of the major franchises decided to keep their average number of sold goods a guarded secret, Jeff's Pastizze- ria – which has three different stores – and Sphinx, with an im- pressive 20 outlets, respectively said they sold 240 and 4,800 pastizzi each day. Nutritionist Claire Spiteri says Malta's biggest problem is the frequency of consumption of such junk foods. "Many of the people who come to me for ad- vice tell me that they have junk food at least twice a week, and they would normally have larger portions of these foodstuffs than is advisable," Spiteri said. She said pastizzi and burgers scarcely have any nutritional value, being merely a source of saturated fats due to the high amounts of lard used to attain the delicious, sought-after flaky texture typical of pastizzi, or to cook burgers and fries with. "There is of course nothing wrong with enjoying some junk food occasionally, but frequent consumption combined with our sedentary lifestyles, natu- rally leads to excessive weight," she said, adding that the Maltese sweet tooth means adding sugar to beverages like coffee and tea. "Not to mention our devotion to desserts and cakes," Spiteri adds. FINCO TREASURY MANAGEMENT LTD Independent Financial Advisors ATTENTION CLIENTS OF FINCO TREASURY MANAGEMENT LTD WHO HAVE OR HAVE HAD A CLAIM VERSUS LA VALETTE MULTI MANAGER PROPERTY FUND (the "Fund") Following the entry into force of e Arbiter for Financial Services Act, a reasoned complaint against the Fund's Functionaries already sanctioned by MFSA, namely Valletta Fund Management Ltd and Bank of Valletta plc, may be submitted for adjudication by the Financial Services Arbiter. Complaints would need to be submitted by not later than end June 2016. Clients who intend to le their complaint for adjudication by the Financial Services Arbiter may contact Finco Treasury Management Ltd for an appointment. Paul Bonello Finco Treasury Management Ltd Level 5, e Mall, Floriana Tel 21-22-000-2 e-mail: investments@ncotrust.com FINCO TREASURY MANAGEMENT LTD From the humble 'pastizz' to high-end burgers: Malta's love affair with junk food Top 5 junk food meccas St Paul's Bay 30 Sliema 23 St Julian's 17 Msida 13 Qormi/Hamrun/Mellieha 12 *Data compiled from Yellow Pages Directory, establishments under headings containing Pizzerias, Pastizzerias, Take-Away and Snack Bar. Data is not exhaustive, and some of the establishments might not sell exclusively junk food products Fast food outlets (number) Sphinx Pastizzeria 20 McDonald's 7 * Burger King 6 Chick King 5 Broaster Chicken 4 *excluding the branches that are closed for refurbishment Fast food outlets (number) Pastizzi – inviting, but not good for the girth