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.

Beyond Distance: Children's School Travel Mode Choice

February 1, 2013 | Journal Article

Attitudes and perceptions about the environment are discussed in this comprehensive study assessing modifiable elements and environmental features beyond the actual distance to school.

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.

The Active Living by Design National Program

December 1, 2009 | Journal Article

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) established the Active Living by Design national program to promote daily physical activity in America. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine has published a supplement detailing lessons learned from the ALbD national program.

Get Active Orlando

December 1, 2009 | Journal Article

Get Active Orlando (GAO), a community partnership focused on increasing active living in one lower-income neighborhood in Orlando, FL, succeeded in both its long-term infrastructure-related and its short-term lifestyle-related goals, according to an assessment by representatives of GAO and the city.