This report documents the proceedings of a 1998 symposium on the causes and prevention of childhood obesity sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion to focus attention on the growing problem of childhood obesity in the United States and the link between nutrition and health. Following opening remarks by the USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services and by the Surgeon General, the symposium was organized in two sections, punctuated by remarks of the Secretary of Agriculture. The scientific presentations focused on findings regarding causes of childhood obesity and prevention strategies: (1) "Childhood Obesity: The Contribution of Diet and Inactivity" (William Dietz); (2) "Obesity and Health Risk in Children" (Michael Goran); (3) "Factors Influencing Food Intake Implications for Childhood Obesity" (Leann Birch); (4) "Strategies for the Primary Prevention of Obesity in PreSchool-Age Children" (Christine Williams); and (5) "Preventing Obesity in School-Age Children and Adolescents" (Thomas Robinson). Presentations focusing on public policy and recommendations were as follows: (1) "The Role of Government Programs in Reducing Childhood Obesity" (Donna O'Hare); (2) "Child Nutrition Programs: Prevention through Education" (Connie Evers); (3) "Choosing a Policy Strategy: The Carrot or the Stick?" (Barbara Moore); (4) "Moving Children into the Next Century: The Federal Perspective" (B. Don Franks and Christine Spain); and (5) "The Role of USDA's Food Assistance Programs in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity" (Laura Sims). Question-answer sessions followed both the scientific papers and the policy papers, and are transcribed. Closing remarks by the USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services report that the USDA will ask the presenters to arrive at three to five strategies that could be accomplished within the next year. (KB)