United States health officials are expected to release new dietary guidelines for babies and pregnant women designed to help prevent childhood obesity.

The announcement comes on the heels of research by Harvard University that predicts that nearly 60% of children today will be morbidly overweight by the time they turn 35.

“That’s actually pretty scary numbers,” says family physician Dr. Jaclyn Guliano.

Guliano says that part of the reason for this is the amount of fast food Americans tend to eat. She says that many parents tend to fall on fast food because it is quick and easy to give their children. She says that it is essential to give children good eating habits early on.

“It’s really important that we get kids when they’re really impressionable,” she says.

Jersey City chef Rene Gonzalez says that she is trying to teach kids about healthy eating habits with her business, Bambino Chef. She says that she hopes the children develop skills that they can bring with them later in life.

“Our whole concentration is on healthy. Healthy and creative cooking,” she says.

Bambino Chef offers cooking classes to young children and teens. Gonzalez says that it is a way for them to get involved in the types of foods that they are eating.

She also says that it is important to look at food labels when choosing what to eat.

“Look at the numbers. Look at the ingredients. If there’s something you can’t read or pronounce or sounds like it’s from a sci-fi movie, it’s definitely not worth putting in your body,” she says.