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Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Its prevalence has tripled in many countries of the WHO European Region since the 1980s, and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at an alarming rate, particularly children. Obesity is already responsible for 2–8% of health costs and 10–13% of deaths in different parts of the Region.

Both societies and governments need to act to curb the epidemic. National policies should encourage and provide opportunities for greater physical activity, and improve the availability and accessibility of healthy foods. They should also encourage the involvement of different government sectors, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders.

To facilitate action across the WHO European Region, WHO/Europe organized the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey on 15–17 November 2006. At the Conference, Member States adopted the European Charter on Counteracting Obesity.