Childhood obesity is endemic in developed countries, and there are cost implications attached to what is being described as a public health crisis1—costs to individual health and quality of life, and healthcare costs.2 Identifying interventions that are effective in targeting prevention and management of obesity is crucial to improving morbidity and mortality.

The study by Wake and colleagues examined whether surveillance and structured interventions within a primary care setting (in this instance GP practices) were effective in reducing childhood obesity. The study design was a randomized controlled trial within a baseline crosssectional survey of body mass index (BMI). Randomisation and outcome measurement but not participants were blinded to assignment …