The childhood obesity epidemic is one of the defining health challenges of this decade and perhaps the 21st century. Obesity rates among youths have nearly tripled in the past three decades. Solving the obesity epidemic requires that students understand and accept the changes within the environment and ultimately modify their health behaviors to include more physical activity and healthful food choices. Health education teachers have the opportunity to champion this cause and assume a leadership role in this process and in doing so they will elevate the importance of how health factors can positively influence the education of students. Health education teachers have an opportunity to redefine their own role in schools where they contribute to shaping policy and become more involved in the decision-making system as it relates to health and obesity prevention.