The excellent Viewpoint by Hawley and Dunstan emphasizes the key role that primary prevention strategies must play in the fight against obesity. Primary prevention of obesity at the population level is challenging, particularly in our modern society, which has a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutritional habits. The authors suggested that both the reduction in sedentary behaviour (specifically sitting time) and the increase in energy expenditure throughout the day by incidental activity need to be included into future physical activity guidelines. To successfully achieve these objectives, the appropriate medical and legislative bodies should encourage promotion, long-term organization, and support of supervised exercise and nutritional programs. Studies are urgently needed in order to verify the efficacy of long-term combination therapies for obesity on clinical, social, and economic outcomes.
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