Many interventions and initiatives are being undertaken, also on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, to contribute to the prevention of overweight and obesity in the Netherlands. These government initiated or supported interventions are mainly aiming to promote healthier eating and physical activity behaviors. In the context of these prevention and health promotion projects, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has asked the Health Council of the Netherlands to advise on whether this increased attention that is being paid to overweight and obesity in the public arena may be a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. In the advice, that was published today, a specially appointed Committee, chaired by Professor Inez de Beaufort, and I had the pleasure to be a committee member, concludes that only very limited research has been conducted on this specific topic, but what is known to date suggests that the present day official campaigns and interventions for prevention of overweight are unlikely to cause eating disorders. Therefore, the committee concludes that there is no need to modify the current prevention policy focusing on a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity.Different articles were published in Dutch news papers today on the publication of this report, for example in 'De Telegraaf', and on 'Nu.NL'. Interestingly, these media put most emphasis on the fact that campaigns may have negative side effects related to eating disorders instead of on the main conclusions described above.
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