While dietary and physical activity habits are known to relate to cardiovascular risk, in 1985 little data were available on factors that influence the development of such behaviors early in life. In 1987, 106 families with 3 to 5 year old children were recruited to take part in the Framingham Children's Study. The children and their parents are direct descendents (4th and 3rd generation, respectively) of participants in the Framingham Heart Study. During the initial grant period, the feasibility of collecting relevant data has been demonstrated. Maintenance of the cohort and acceptance of the monitoring procedures have been excellent, due partly to the fact that the families consider themselves a part of the Framingham Heart Study and take pride in long-term compliance with study procedures.