The number of papers addressing overweight and obesity submitted to this journal is still substantial, as previously reported (1). As the first issue for the new year we have chosen Overweight and obesity as the hot topic. You can find papers on antioxidant capacity in obese women (2) , growth reference curves for Portuguese adolescents (3) and validity of self-reported height and weight in Austrian adults (4). These papers point at the importance of correct assessment and use of the right reference curves. There is also a paper looking at changes in overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence during health transition (5) and one looking at low-income New Yorkers and their food concern related to obesity and diabetes (6). Colleagues from Scotland publish the evaluation of the first phase of a weight management programme performed within the National Health Service-interesting reading, indeed (7). The results point at the 'you get what you pay for' principle, with patients who stay in the programme being more likely to lose weight. Being male, depressed, older than 40 years and severely obese (BMI .50 kg/m 2) increased the chance of losing more weight while being socially deprived reduced the chance of improvement in weight status. The authors point at the need for more targeted interventions. We look forward to more results from this programme. Hendrie et al. (8) discuss the complexity of the relationship between behaviours and obesity in childhood and Ergin et al. (9) discuss socioeconomic inequalities in overweight among adults in Turkey. Wiklund et al. (10) publish data from Finland indicating that breast-feeding mothers may be protected against later-life obesity and Wu et al. (11) look at quality of life related to body weight and related variables among adolescents in Canada. Tavares et al. (12) follow up on the issue of ultra-processed foods (discussed earlier in this journal (13)) and their importance for the metabolic syndrome in a Brazilian study of adolescents, and Zhang et al. (14) discuss the same type of issues in their paper from China. Three reviews on the home environment and its importance for childhood obesity, on dietary weight-loss interventions in people of African ancestry and on free will and the obesity epidemic are also included in this issue (15-17). Will the 'epidemic of obesity publications' still be raging at the end of 2012? Will the obesity epidemic as such level out in the coming years? The editors look forward with anticipation. Happy New Year!

In this issue of our journal we have invited a number of experts to comment on the recommended levels of intake of vitamin D (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) . This invitation is done in order to shed some light on the ongoing debate regarding the increased recommended level of intake of vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine North America (10) . Our Associate Editor Oliver Gillie has also written his own editorial in the area (11) .The journal finds this debate of great importance, not only as a part of a sound scientific debate in general but also with regard to the intriguing nature of vitamin D and the wealth of factors that influence our vitamin D status. Environmental factors, clothing, seasonal factors, skin colour and intake all have an influence on vitamin D status: the delicate balance between them provides a challenging perspective for public health nutritionists. A recent study of children in Iran revealed a substantial proportion (32?9 %) of children aged 15-23 months with vitamin D at insufficiency levels (12) , significantly more among girls. Iran has a system for encouraging supplementation but the level of compliance is uncertain. This is just one example out of many, showing the need for comprehensive work in this area towards a common consensus on needs, intake, formation and uptake of vitamin D, followed up by policy and action.Clearly, this is a research field which not only intrigues us but also one that encourages debate. We heartily welcome more debate on vitamin D as a nutritional issue and also as an overall health issue in relation to environment, shading, skin cancer risk and pollution, as well as outdoor play and activities. We look forward to receiving your views and suggestions.