Program Areas

Childhood Obesity

Physical Activity in Communities

RWJF Priority: Increase physical activity by improving the built environment in communities

When children have safe places to walk, bike and play in their communities, they’re more likely to be active and less likely to be obese. Communities can increase opportunities for physical activity by building new sidewalks, bike paths, parks, and playgrounds—and by improving those that already exist.

To encourage families to use these resources and facilities, communities can implement traffic-safety measures and neighborhood watch programs, so children are safe when playing outside. Such measures are especially important in underserved communities, where residents often face high crime rates, dangerous traffic patterns, and unsafe sidewalks.

The resources below, from RWJF grantees and partners, highlight recent efforts to identify the most promising solutions for promoting physical activity in communities.

Childhood Obesity Policy Priorities

From the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids

Renovating Northgate Park in Camden, NJ

Renovating Northgate Park in Camden, NJ

"We want to see kids and families active." The New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids helped to rennovate Camden's Northgate Park, where residents can now use the new playground and participate in activities like tennis, volleyball, and cycling.

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From Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

A Healthier Park

A Healthier Park

Chicago's healthy improvements to Humbolt Park include installing community gardens and healthy vending machines, and improving pedestrian access to parks.

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3 p.m. to Bedtime: Crunch Time for Children and Obesity

Crunch Time: Challenges and Solutions

Crunch Time: Challenges and Solutions

A poll reveals that many parents face a variety of barriers to helping their children lead healthy lives, especially during the "crunch time" from 3 p.m. to bedtime.

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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.

How Does Federal Funding Impact Infrastucture for Biking and Walking?

October 22, 2010 | Program Result Report

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences analyzed spending of federal funds for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure across metropolitan regions nationwide and conducted case studies.

"Do You See What I See?"

January 1, 2010 | Journal Article

In this study, which first classified different urban neighborhood types, girls were found to be more sensitive to environmental barriers and facilitators to physical activity than boys.

The Path to Active Living

December 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This article examines the work of the Somerville Active Living by Design Partnership. The authors report on the partnership between Active Living by Design and community organizations and assess the key successes and challenges of the project.

Guam Sustantia Project

August 4, 2010 | Program Result Report

The Guam SDA (Seventh-day Adventist) Ypao Church of the Guam Micronesia Missions developed and implemented the Sustantia Project, a campaign to end childhood obesity in Guam.

Tracking and Analyzing Trail Use in Indianapolis

October 2, 2008 | Program Result Report

Researchers examined patterns of trail use, analyzed the relationship between use and physical characteristics, and created statistical models that can be used to better understand trail use in other states or communities.

Women Who Walk: Study Looks at the Impact of Neighborhood Design

October 2, 2008 | Program Result Report

Researchers at Cornell University College of Human Ecology examined walking patterns of women moving into neighborhoods designed following new urbanism principles and women moving into traditional suburban neighborhoods.