While young people today have more opportunity than ever before to incorporate healthy eating habits and physical fitness into their everyday lives, studies show that th e U.S. is also facing an epidemic of childhood obesity. When it comes to eating and exercise, lifelong habits are often formed during childhood – a time when parents have significant influence. Decades of research have shown that healthy children have the best chance of becoming healthy adults. This guide provides parents with information about the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity in children’s lives, plus tips and strategies to help their children make positive choices.