This instructional handbook is one of a series of ten packets designed to form a comprehensive course in nutrition for secondary students. This unit considers the fact that eating habits developed early in life have a lifetime effect on health. Special emphasis is placed on the effect of these early habits on pregnancy, adolescence, infancy and the older adult years. It contains a page of teaching suggestions, a pre-test for the students, and factual nutrition information with examples of how this information can be used in daily living. A post-test and bibliography are included. (JD)