The main aim of the PoHeFa project, which was supported by the European Public Health Programme (2009-2012), was to increase the awareness of local policy makers and professional practitioners of how the socio-cultural context within the local settings effects healthy lifestyle choices and the health status of families and to assist local authorities to develop better strategies and more effective interventions through more competent professional practitioners with respect to health promoting activities on obesity and healthy lifestyle choices, focusing especially on young people and their families.