This chapter reviews the research on promoting healthy dietary behaviors in all youth, not just those who exhibit problems such as obesity or eating disorders. The first section of this chapter presents a rationale for addressing healthy dietary behavior with children and adolescents, on the basis of the impact of these behaviors on short- and long-term health. It is argued that dietary habits acquired in childhood place some children at risk for chronic illness later in life and the prevention of these ailments should be implemented in school health programs early in childhood. The chapter's second section presents a review of nutrition education programs that have attempted to change behaviors including preschool studies, community-based programs, school-based studies, the Class of 1989 study, and the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH). A conceptual model for health promotion that is specific to young people's dietary behaviors is presented. The chapter concludes with a list of suggestions, including the following: (1) effective nutrition education programs need to be widely disseminated; (2) the focus of nutrition education needs to broaden; and (3) role models for healthy eating behavior in the social environment should be addressed. (Contains 97 references.) (SD)