Two of the most important health events in modern society are adiposity (or the development of overweight and obesity) and diabetes mellitus, linked strongly to adiposity, which also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and excess mortality. Adiposity also increases the risk of several cancers, arthritis, depression, and a host of other undesirable outcomes. In addition, adiposity and diabetes are both increasing rapidly worldwide and are present at younger and younger ages. Thus, the Center’s focus on these two conditions, especially as they develop at an early age and throughout the lifecourse, is both important and timely.