Food and Play Preferences - Does Cancer Prevention Require Targeting the Child?

Food preferences and habits regarding physical exercise and play regimens appear to become set relatively early in life, the mother being the major influence at this stage. Subsequently, the peer group takes on increasing importance, with continued roles for teachers and parents in providing an environment and guidance leading to adoption of a healthy or an unhealthy lifestyle. Since so many of the decisions that will determine exposure to risk and beneficial factors hinge on experience up to and through adolescence, the question arises as to whether more cancer prevention efforts should be directed at children and youths.