"Diabetes will be the next AIDS," came a statement out of the clock radio. I was bolted into conscientiousness with that declaration citing an International Diabetes Federation conference report that made this dire prediction based on the current rate of obesity in children throughout western societies. This wasn't the only time sensational predictions had been broadcast in the media. Issues of children's health are certainly on the front burner, and a person needs to be totally cut off from all forms of media nowadays to miss the fact that there are major scientific and public concerns about the increased rate of overweight and obesity in this country, particularly in children.

Much of the debate focuses on finding fault and then fixing it with simplistic solutions, or litigating and legislating the problem into oblivion. Is it the fault of food manufacturers, fast food restaurateurs, school foodservice programs, lack of physical education in schools, overindulgence in TV and electronic games, marketing to gullible children, or too lenient parents? What is the answer to the problem? suing restaurants? taking all soda, fried foods, and sweets out of schools? putting mandatory physical education back in schools? outlawing advertising aimed at children? taxing low nutrient dense snack foods? or teaching parents how to prepare more healthful meals at home? The answers are not easy and definitely not simplistic.

This special issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition was developed to bring to the readers some of the food and nutrition issues associated with children's health. Most of a child's day is spent in school, and school nutrition programs make a sizeable contribution to daily nutrient intakes.

The public spotlight is on the health of the nation's children, and we, as food and nutrition professionals, should welcome the challenge to demonstrate the effectiveness of our interventions. These articles scratch only the surface in describing the work that is on going in schools, communities, and professional offices. May we always keep a focus on children for they are the future.

Issue 19:1 begins with an article by Kettlewell who introduces the special section on School Food and Nutrition. She details the steps the American School Food Service Association has taken to promulgate sound practices related to serving safe and nutritious foods in school meals programs. Pilant and Skinner report research that determined the types of food and beverages served in South Carolina middle schools. Stitzel explains the history of child nutrition legislation and bills currently under consideration in Congress.

Three articles describe some of the work currently underway to address these issues. Kay Cobb and Solera describe the national 5 A Day programs that are promoting children's increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Dalton explains the extent of the childhood obesity problem and makes suggestions for prevention and intervention strategies. Finally, Moag-Stahlberg describes the initiatives related to nutrition and physical activity in schools supported by Action For Healthy Kids state teams and encourages all nutrition professionals to join this multidisciplinary effort to make a difference in the health of children. The second Case Review appears in this issue of TICN. Magnotta describes the medical nutrition therapy provided for an adolescent with Type I diabetes mellitus.

In addition to school health issues, St. Jeor and her colleagues provide readers of TICN with hot-off-the-press charts to estimate resting energy expenditure in adult men and women. Kerstetter and her collaborators explore the literature and inconsistencies around high-protein diets in relation to calcium and bone health. Another topic of interest is functional foods by Toner and Pitman where they discuss how to educate health-conscious consumers in today's communications environment.

Please continue to send comments, feedback, and ideas for future articles. Special thanks to Professor Martha Conklin from The Pennsylvania State University who served as a guest editor on School Food and Nutrition. My appreciation also to the many contributors and reviewers of TICN.