Citerank: (11) 348687More physical activity for kids within and beyond educational settingsThe introduction of compulsory physical education in schools is positive. However, greater promotion of physical activity outside of educational settings is also key to ensure any participation amongst pupils is not limited to school. Similarly, caution is needed to ensure that the promotion of competitive sport does not put off children less disposed to that sport. This could result in children either returning to or increasing their sedentary lifestyle.565CA4D9, 371553The health consequences of rising obesity are not clearAlthough the incidence of overweight and obesity are increasing, the health consequences of the increasing incidence are not clear.131CD6EB7, 371554Body fat's role in excess mortality and morbidity remains uncertain1198CE71, 371557Unintended consequences of anti-obesity messages to childrenResearch suggests that the anti-obesity health messages targeted at students can have unintended and deleterious consequences for the children.8FFB597, 371558Different children have different contexts and needs Policy measures – and the messaging associated with them – need to be sufficiently flexible and intelligent across different contexts to reflect the fact that children's experiences vary widely and that many children are already physically active.8FFB597, 399554Scarce health resources would be better spent elsewhereFraming obesity as a health crisis results in scarce health resources being directed to millions of people who are already healthy.13EF597B, 399665Unintended consequences of anti-obesity messages to childrenResearch suggests that the anti-obesity health messages targeted at students can have unintended and deleterious consequences for the children.8FFB597, 399666Different children have different contexts and needs Policy measures – and the messaging associated with them – need to be sufficiently flexible and intelligent across different contexts to reflect the fact that children's experiences vary widely and that many children are already physically active.8FFB597, 399768More physical activity for kids within and beyond educational settingsThe introduction of compulsory physical education in schools is positive. However, greater promotion of physical activity outside of educational settings is also key to ensure any participation amongst pupils is not limited to school. Similarly, caution is needed to ensure that the promotion of competitive sport does not put off children less disposed to that sport. This could result in children either returning to or increasing their sedentary lifestyle.565CA4D9, 399994The health consequences of rising obesity are not clearAlthough the incidence of overweight and obesity are increasing, the health consequences of the increasing incidence are not clear.13EF597B, 400010Body fat's role in excess mortality and morbidity remains uncertain1198CE71

In the interests of brevity, we suggest that there are two important 'take home points' which arise from a sober assessment of rising obesity numbers and the data concerning the health consequences of this increase. First, most Australians live long, healthy lives. We understand that labelling something as a crisis is a powerful political strategy, however, it simply makes no sense to characterise obesity as a health crisis since to do so will inevitably lead to scarce health resources being directed to change the lives of millions of Australians who are already healthy.

Second, acknowledging the health of the general Australian population does not change the fact that there are groups of Australians who do not enjoy the same health outcomes as the majority. In fact, our argument is that calling overweight and obesity a crisis makes it less likely that areas of health need will be adequately or precisely addressed. Obesity is not a problem for 'everyone everywhere' and it is closely linked to social inequality.