The Health Council of the Netherlands has issued a report on overweight and obesity. These are considered major threats to personal health, the public health care services and economic welfare. Overweight and obesity are no longer considered variations of the norm, but as a disease. As genetically predisposing factors cannot be influenced, major initiatives to contain further deterioration of the problem must be on environmental factors i.e. on macronutrient intake and physical exercise. Special target groups (young people, people of low socioeconomic status and immigrants) need to be defined. Government, health care organisations, industry and the general public should work together to combat overweight and obesity. The chances of success are not predictable but are certainly big enough to justify action.