[WHO warns of obesity epidemic. Are we becoming a society of obese persons?].

Overweight and obesity, together with their concomitant diseases and sequelae, have reached epidemic proportions. The problem is therefore not merely personal, but also societal. We have become an overweight society on its way to obesity. What we need is effective treatment over the long-term and a public health strategy to combat the condition. These two strategies are complementary, not in competition with each other. Without the latter, the successes of the former remain limited. We require national campaigns involving various aspects of our society aimed at promoting health and preventing disease. This makes necessary the involvement of politicians and representatives of various interested groups with appropriate responsibility. Members of health-related occupations should take the lead in initiating and maintaining such action.