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.

CBO Scoring Misses Billions of Dollars in Potential Long-Term Savings from Effective Obesity Prevention Policies, According to New Study

April 24, 2013 | News Release

Obesity-prevention policies could save the U.S. billions of dollars in the long run. A new report from the Campaign to End Obesity shows that the way estimates for the costs of legislation are done now misses a lot of their value.

Poll Finds Big Gap Between Parents and Experts: Parents Less Likely to Recognize Children as Overweight or Obese

February 25, 2013 | News Release

A new poll released today shows a large a gap between parents’ perceptions of their children’s weight and expert definitions.

NEA HIN Urges Educators to Push for Healthier School Snacks and Drinks

February 12, 2013 | News Release

NEA HIN Urges Educators to Push for Healthier School Snacks and Drinks National Education Association Health Information Network helps school communities take action against childhood obesity

Restaurant Chains Serving More Lower-Calorie Items Do Better Financially

February 7, 2013 | News Release

Restaurant chains that serve more lower-calorie foods and beverages have better business performance, according to a study released by the Hudson Institute.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant Helps the Y Expand Efforts to Reduce Childhood Obesity

February 6, 2013 | News Release

The Y received a two-year, $7.8 million grant to expand Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement Regarding the Proposal of Updated Nutrition Standards for School Snack Foods and Beverages

February 1, 2013 | News Release

The USDA proposed updated nutrition standards. Foundation President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey released a statement.

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.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Heart Association Join Forces to Reverse Childhood Obesity Epidemic

November 15, 2012 | News Release

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Heart Association announce a collaboration to reverse the nation's childhood obesity epidemic.

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

Adult Obesity Rates Could Exceed 60 Percent in 13 States by 2030, According to New Study

September 18, 2012 | News Release

The number of obese adults, along with related disease rates and health care costs, are on course to increase dramatically in every state in the country over the next 20 years, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012.