**7. The WHO consultation report on obesity**

In 1997, the WHO, in collaboration with the IOTF, arranged an expert consultation on obesity, in order to review the extent of the problem incurred by the obese individuals, as well as examining the need to develop public health policies and programmes, in order to combat the global problem of overweight and obesity. This summon of consultants resulted in a publication of an interim report entitled: "Obesity—preventing and managing the global epidemic" [7], with the subsequent WHO Technical Report Series No. 894 [9].

However, what were the suggestions by the IOTF to combat the obesity problem? The IOTF aimed to engage in a campaign to prevent and manage overweight and obesity, as well as endeavours to encourage and support the development of appropriate public and health policies, as well and programmes aimed at the prevention and management of obesity.
