WHO should take the lead in combating obesity

Obesity in school age children is a global problem, and television watching is a main contributor (Obesity Reviews 2005;6:123-32). Research based on almost 140 000 adolescents aged 10 to 16 in 34 countries, showed that in 77% of the countries, at least 10% were overweight, having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25. In a fifth of the countries at least 3% of children were obese, with a BMI of 30 or more.

The authors, from Queen's University, Canada, the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, the Health Development Agency in England, and other centres, say that the World Health Organization should now take …