Little is known about the eating behaviors that place adolescents at heightened risk for overweight. In the proposed study, we aim to investigate the role that eating behaviors and genes may play in the development of overweight. Participants will be adolescent girls and boys from a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents from the DC Metro community. Adolescent eating behavior will be observed during laboratory test meals. Adolescents will be provided with a large buffet of foods or a standard meal and instructed to eat until you are no longer hungry. Thirty minutes later, they will taste and rate a variety of highly palatable snack foods. Blood tests will be conducted to examine genes related to eating behavior. Assessments also will include affective states, degree of hunger, degree of fullness, body image satisfaction, disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, and measures of interpersonal interactions.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Volunteers will qualify for participation in the study if they meet the following criteria:

1. Age 13-17 years.
2. Good general health as indicated by medical history and physical examination.
3. Negative urine glucose and normal electrolytes, hepatic, and thyroid function

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Volunteers will be excluded if they have any of the following:

1. Medical problem likely to affect caloric intake.
2. History of any condition including psychiatric disorders in either child or their responsible parent that in the opinion of the investigators would impede competence to sign consent, interfere with adherence to procedures, or possibly hinder completion of the study.
3. Pregnancy.
4. Use of medication likely to affect caloric intake.