Childhood Obesity Program Area

RWJF is committed to tackling one of the most urgent threats to the health of our children and families—childhood obesity. Our goal is to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015.

Daily P.E. Could Increase Youth Physical Activity by 23 Minutes per Day, According to New Study

January 17, 2013 | News Release

Requiring daily physical education in school could help young people be active for 23 minutes per day, according to a new study.

When it Comes to Healthy Snacks, Many Schools Do Not Make the Grade

October 31, 2012 | News Release

The press release regarding the release of Out of Balance: A Look at Snack Foods in Secondary Schools Across the states, a report from the Kids' Safe & Healthful Foods Project

Philadelphia School District Reports Progress in Reducing Childhood Obesity Rates

September 6, 2012 | Commentary/News Release/Journal Article/Story

Largest declines seen among African American boys and Hispanic girls.

Strong State Laws on School Snacks, Drinks May Help to Prevent Weight Gain, New Study Finds

August 15, 2012 | News Release

Children, teens in states with strong laws gained less weight as they got older than those in states without such policies.

Most Entrees at Chain Restaurants Fail to Meet Federal Nutrition Recommendations for Adults or Children

July 19, 2012 | News Release

The study, which was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its Healthy Eating Research program, examined the nutritional content of 30,923 menu items—including items from children’s menus—from 245 restaurants across the United Stat ...

Industry Efforts to Improve Nutrition and Marketing for Children's Cereals Yield Mixed Results

June 22, 2012 | News Release

The first Cereal FACTS study was released in 2009, and found that least healthy cereals were those most frequently and aggressively marketed directly to children as young as age 2.

Teens Purchase Fewer Sugary Drinks After Seeing In-Store Calorie Signage

December 14, 2011 | News Release

Study shows providing calorie information as a physical activity equivalent may be most effective.

California Making Headway in Battle Against Childhood Obesity But Study Shows Successes are Uneven

November 9, 2011 | News Release

Study shows statewide rates for overweight and obesity among school-age children may be leveling off, but progress is uneven across counties.

Despite industry promises, Yale study finds unprecedented marketing of sugary drinks to youth

October 31, 2011 | News Release

Research findings uncover targeted outreach to African Americans and Latinos.

Boston High School Students Drinking Fewer Sugary Beverages

August 19, 2011 | News Release

Following school district policy change, students drank fewer sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks.