There is evidence that health and behavior are intimately linked from childhood to adolescence. That is, long-term healthy behaviors and healthy lifestyles begin with knowledge and skills attained in childhood (Whitener et al., 1998). Behaviors charac
384 teristic of children’s lifestyles (eg, diet and activity levels) have been implicated in increasing risk for chronic health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease; such behaviors are amenable to interventions that can attenuate the long-term adverse health effects by focusing on activities that promote health (Lippman, Hayman, & Fabian, 1997).