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.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement Regarding Release of "In It for Good: 2012" Annual Progress Report by Partnership for a Healthier America

March 7, 2013 | Commentary

RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey sees "pockets of progress toward reversing the childhood obesity epidemic," but says more needs to be done.

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.

Kansas City Study: Parks in Lower-Income Neighborhoods Have More Problems Like Vandalism and Litter; Fewer Playgrounds

February 24, 2013 | News Release

Kansas City Study: Parks in Lower-Income Neighborhoods Have More Problems Like Vandalism and Litter; Fewer Playgrounds

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.

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.

New Report Shows Importance of Calculating Full Cost Savings of Obesity Prevention

March 21, 2012 | News Release/Story

Highlighting obesity-related medical expenses, economists recommend 25-year window for scoring legislative proposals.

New Study Shows Importance of Calculating Full Cost Savings of Obesity Prevention

March 21, 2012 | News Release

Highlighting obesity-related medical expenses, economists recommend 25-year window for scoring legislative proposals.

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.

Active Living - Past, Present, and Future

December 1, 2009 | Commentary

This commentary argues that a multidisciplinary approach is an essential ingredient for achieving community change and vitality. Because active living is not a central issue of any one discipline, public health must influence other disciplines to integrate active living within the context of their respective missions.

Adapting Physical Activity Interventions to Prevent Obesity in Culturally Diverse Populations

July 1, 2009 | Commentary

To address obesity in culturally diverse populations, interventions should include "real-world" practices that are adapted to cultural needs, values and resources, according to Terry L. Bazzarre, Ph.D., a former senior program director at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.