conduct research to better understand the relationship between physical activity, diet, and health and factors that influence health-related behaviors;

develop and evaluate strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity to be used in community-based interventions and by health professionals;

develop and evaluate strategies for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia;

conduct research to establish the prevalence, consequences, and costs of childhood obesity and its effects in adulthood;

identify behaviors and risk factors that contribute to obesity;

evaluate materials and programs to provide nutrition education to parents and teachers of children in child care or pre-school and the food service staff of such child care and pre-school entities; and

evaluate materials and programs that are designed to educate and encourage physical activity in child care and pre-school facilities.