Addressing the widespread problem of obesity will require sustained public health action. Health education and communication has been a central component of successful action on tobacco, alcohol, road safety, and other public health issues. However, programs to address obesity that are largely based around health education alone have been unable to produce any significant improvements in body fatness. Obesity is a very complex condition that requires actions at many levels and within many sectors to enable the level of behavior change sufficient to positively influence weight status.