The childhood obesity epidemic demands a concerted prevention effort from governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. A life- course approach to preventing childhood obesity provides multiple opportunities for intervention and many childhood settings offer opportunities for access to children and parents. Government policies are needed to provide the backbone for health promotion activities. International agencies and multinational food companies have critical supporting roles to play. Marketing of unhealthy foods to children is a multi - billion dollar commercial enterprise and these practices severely undermine the efforts of parents, governments and health and education professionals to provide a healthy environment for children. © 1993 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.