BMJ  2005;330:1339-1340 (11 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7504.1339

Editorial

Prognosis in obesity

We all need to move a little more, eat a little less

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Obesity has a colossal impact on physical, mental, and social ill health in many parts of the world. Without effective action, expanding waists in ageing populations and the associated health problems will present enormous financial burdens for future generations. The prevalence of obesity is already above the critical threshold of 15% set by the World Health Organization for epidemics needing intervention.¹ We cannot withdraw medical support for obese individuals, but we urgently need politically driven public health measures to curb this epidemic.

In this week's BMJ, Reilly et al, who have previously documented rising rates of childhood obesity, stimulating public and political concern, examine risk factors for obesity in a cohort of 7 year olds in Bristol, England (p 1357).² The authors do not claim causality but did find potentially relevant independent associations, including environmental contributions to high birth weight, early adiposity or "rebound" as body . . . [Full text of this article]

Division of Developmental Medicine, Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G31 2ER
(lean@clinmed.gla.ac.uk)

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Ogilvie, D., Hamlet, N. (2005). Obesity: the elephant in the corner. BMJ 331: 1545-1548 [Full text]  
• Visvanathan, R., Chapman, I. (2005). Prognosis in obesity: Older people should not be misinformed about being overweight. BMJ 331: 452-452 [Full text]  
• Hemmingsson, E. (2005). Prognosis in obesity: Obstacles must be removed to prevent obesity through increased physical activity. BMJ 331: 452-452 [Full text]  
• Mackin, P., Young, A. H (2005). Prognosis in obesity: Obesity in severe mental illness poses particular problems. BMJ 331: 452-453 [Full text]  

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