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Diet plays important role short, long term by Shannon Sullivan Dietetic Intern Ask most any parent and they will surely respond that the important concern in life is their child’s well being. Parents go to great lengths to protect the health of their children with measures such as vaccinations and medication treatments, but often overlook the importance diet plays on both short-term and long-term health. Dietetic intern, Mary Ann Woodward, helps MUSC Children's Hospital patient, Dedra Jackson, make a healthy snack using fruits and vegetables. The interns also talked about the importance of fruits and vegetables for growing children. Studies show that what we eat early in life affects intellectual, physical and even chronic disease development. Currently, one of the major concerns for United States children is the rapid rise of obesity—a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Alarmingly, the number of overweight children in the United States has increased by more than 50 percent during the past 20 years. The most common cause is a combination of unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity—genetics play a role in some cases. Video games, super sized portions, extra value meals and sugar beverages are just a few of the culprits contributing to the mounting number of overweight children. With so many enticing options available for sedentary activities and junk foods, parents and children must become informed consumers on how these choices impact health. The best advice for parents is to establish eating habits in line with the Food Guide Pyramid early in life. Setting framework for healthy eating will eliminate the need to change harmful eating habits at a later time. The Food Guide Pyramid has been shown to be a safe tool for modeling food choices for children older than 2.  If the Food Guide Pyramid could be summarized into words, the take home message would be to eat more whole foods: whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy (about four glasses of milk a day). These are the food groups that offer the most protective health benefits and often are the most lacking in children's diets. Eating a variety of foods within each of the food groups helps ensure that we meet all of our nutrients needs, a critical concept for developing children at any age. For more information on healthy eating for your child, visit the American Dietetic Association online at <http://www.eatright.org> or make an appointment with a registered dietitian. Promote the well being of your child, choose to make healthy eating and physical activity a regular part of their life.