Health, as an asset in danger, belongs to the acute social problems in the transition to the third millennium. This particularly concerns the situations of the lives of children and adolescents. Prevention and promotion of health are of particular value in childhood and adolescence, as at this stage of life healthy or unhealthy behaviours are being established. The purpose of this study was to approach, analyse and finally examine the prevention and health promotion models with regard to children and adolescents. The method adopted for this study was a review of the relevant literature. On the basis of this study, we realize that the traditional perception of prevention is risk-oriented. Since the 1980s, there has been a change, so that you no longer ask “what makes people ill?” rather than “what helps people remain healthy despite the unpredictable burdens?” (Salutogenese). This involves the development and stabilization of so-called protective factors, such as internal control conviction, trust in oneself, positive self-confidence, and an optimistic basic mood. In the course of the study, it is clear how one can enhance the so-called protective factors in childhood and adolescence in order to promote the positive development of the personality. In addition to presenting theoretical explanatory proposals on health behaviour, we also explain the impact of hitherto ideas and programs as well as what have been their consequences on prevention work.
