Urgent call for the third wish

Abstract

The people afflicted with obesity and its consequences need a menu of low-cost programmes to mitigate the over-nutrition and under-activity that underlie their condition. This editorial commentary points out the multiple merits (and shortcomings) of the Nordic walking - with ski poles - presented in an accompanying article. The Nordic exercise programme is then examined more broadly in the context of the general principles and limitations of exercise programmes - with and without calorie control - as a guide to future innovations.