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.

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.

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

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 ...

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.

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.

New Report: Adult Obesity Increases in 16 States in the Past Year

July 7, 2011 | News Release

Since 1995 rates have doubled or nearly doubled in 17 states.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Names Healthiest School in America

June 15, 2010 | News Release/Video

West New York, New Jersey's Memorial High School earns first-ever Gold National Recognition Award from Alliance's Healthy Schools Program.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement Regarding Release of Estimates of Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Children and Teens

January 13, 2010 | News Release

Study shows a striking decline in obesity rates among young children. But boys ages 6 to 19 are lagging, and racial and ethnic disparities persist across age groups.

Study Shows Overwhelming Parent Support for Healthier Schools

October 28, 2009 | News Release

Survey for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation finds most parents willing to help schools improve food offerings and increase physical activity.

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

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.