Childhood obesity is epidemic in the United States and other industrialized countries across the globe. This trend is alarming, because childhood obesity is associated with the early onset of serious health problems, including Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic problems, behavioral disorders, and asthma. Mounting evidence also links childhood obesity to poor school performance. While many factors influence the development of obesity in children, including genetic influences, culture, and poverty, research suggests that changes in children's environmental contexts can help prevent obesity. Experts have cited "obesogenic" environments, those that promote obesity through poor eating and sedentary activity, as most dangerous for children and they urge parents and teachers to create more healthful environments and to become better role models (Davidson, 2007). Unfortunately, many parents lack information on how to establish a healthful home and how to use good parenting practices to encourage their children's health. Research on the relationship between parenting styles and childhood obesity has important implications for teachers and all childhood professionals. Offering parents information and support may help them to adopt authoritative parenting styles associated with reducing the risk of childhood obesity. While traditional parenting styles may be familiar, teachers may benefit from additional training to help them apply their knowledge of parenting styles to the new paradigm of childhood obesity prevention.