The author distinguishes between the terms "physical fitness" and "motor performance," summarizes the health and physical status of adults, surveys the physical fitness status of children, and proposes a lifestyle approach to the development and lifetime maintenance of health and physical fitness. The distinctions between "physical fitness" as related to functional health, and "motor performance," related primarily to athletic ability, are expanded upon. An examination of the current health and fitness status of adults centers on examination of (1) heart and cardiorespiratory diseases, (2) undesirable body composition (obesity), and (3) musculoskeletal factors related to low-back pain. Emphasis is made that disease processes that may or may not manifest symptoms in adults frequently begin in infancy and childhood. Risk factors in children for later development of coronary artery disease are discussed. Methods of developing lifestyle patterns for the prevention of atherosclerosis and the promotion of cardiovascular health are suggested. (MJB)