Overgewicht en obesitas; een advies van de Gezondheidsraad

-The Health Council of the Netherlands has issued a report on overweight and obesity. These are considered major threats to personal health, the public health care services and economic welfare.

-Overweight and obesity are no longer considered variations of the norm, but as a disease.

-As genetically predisposing factors cannot be influenced, major initiatives to contain further deterioration of the problem must be on environmental factors i.e. on macronutrient intake and physical exercise.

-Special target groups (young people, people of low socio-economic status and immigrants) need to be defined.

-Government, health care organisations, industry and the general public should work together to combat overweight and obesity.

-The chances of success are not predictable but are certainly big enough to justify action.