RWJF focuses on three distinct strategies in its efforts to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic: funding local organizations to make positive changes at the community level, advocating for healthier policies in the public and private sectors, and providing grants to researchers and evaluators to strengthen the evidence about what works. Our grantmaking is centered on advancing these strategies in ways that make it easier for all children to lead healthy lives.
A new report and an op-ed from RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, highlight promising interventions to help children and teens be active for at least 60 minutes every day.
The Healthy Schools Program is one of RWJF's biggest investments in efforts to prevent childhood obesity. An evaluation of the program shows that schools are making changes and the program is having a positive impact.
RWJF and the American Heart Association are collaborating on an advocacy initiative focused on changing local, state, and federal policies to help children and adolescents eat healthier foods and be more active.
With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its Leadership for Healthy Communities program, the National League of Cities and the American Association of School Administrators brought together city and school officials to help them think about how their policy priorities and decisions could improve health and prevent childhood obesity.
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Two recent studies by the Hudson Institute have shown that
consumer packaged goods companies and restaurant chains growing their better-for-you and lower-calorie sales are demonstrating superior business performance compared with those that are not.
About 1 in 4 young American adults is now too overweight to join the military. The 300 retired generals and admirals of Mission: Readiness are joining parents and nutritionists in strongly supporting new efforts to limit the sale of junk food in schools.
Because RWJF’s strategy for reversing the childhood obesity epidemic hinges on changing policies and environments, we generally do not support projects that provide only information or education. Because we focus on preventing obesity, we do not invest in research regarding medical or surgical treatment of obesity. In keeping with Foundation policy, we give preference to proposals developed by public agencies and tax-exempt organizations.
RWJF does not accept unsolicited proposals for its work to prevent childhood obesity. We issue specific solicitations for proposals and ideas throughout the year. If you register to receive funding alerts through the Foundation’s website at www.rwjf.org, you will receive e-mail notices of each funding opportunity.
Learn about more of our childhood obesity grantees by using this searchable database.