In March 2005 an important document was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.¹ It resulted f rom a meeting held at the Dead Sea in Israel 12 months previously where experts were invited to contribute to the development of a consensus on the widespread crisis in childhood obesity. The group consisted of 65 physicians and other health professionals representing nine countries on four continents. Their aim was to explore the available evidence on childhood obesity and develop a consensus as to the way forward.

The process was rigorous. In the months prior to meeting, participants were assigned to groups addressing prevalence, causes, risks, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or psychology. Each group communicated electronically, selected key issues for their area, searched the literature, and developed a draft document. So, before they had even met, each group had drawn together their views based on the evidence available. Over the three day meeting every paragraph of these papers were debated, finalised, and signed, initially by each group, and then by the full meeting.

The result is an impressive document where the evidence is summarised, and recommendations developed. Given the importance and prevalence of childhood obesity, there is a remarkable lack of quality evidence,² so a consensus of experts is a good starting point. The aim of the meeting was to provide a platform directed at future corrective action and to foster ongoing debate in the international community. This was achieved.

The strength of the Statement lies in its clear and succinct review of the evidence. Areas that are covered well include methods for assessing body fat and its distribution, the definition of overweight and obesity, the genetic determinants of obesity, endocrine aspects, psychosocial determinants, metabolic risks, and intervention. The section …