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.

Frank Chaloupka: Informing the Best Policies With the Best Science

November 29, 2010 | Story

"During the time obesity has emerged as a significant health problem, we have seen dramatic decreases in prices of sugar-sweetened beverages, and increases in prices of fresh foods and vegetables."

Lloyd Johnston: Pioneering the Science of Adolescent Health

November 29, 2010 | Story

From a young age, Johnston wanted to make a social contribution, inspired perhaps by the example of his parents. "My father was always concerned about doing good in the world," he says.

Weight Status Among Adolescents in States That Govern Competitive Food Nutrition Content

September 1, 2012 | Journal Article

This article provides evidence that competitive food laws are associated with adolescent weight gain—students exposed to stronger laws gained less weight on average than students in states without such laws. Objective height and weight data were gat ...

Beverages Sold in Public Schools

August 14, 2012 | Issue Brief

Some Encouraging Progress, Additional Improvements are Needed

Trends in Competitive Venue Beverage Availability

August 1, 2012 | Journal Article

Sweetened drinks are a primary source of added dietary sugar for children. Drinks obtained at school in “competitive venues”—outside of the federally reimbursable school meal program—significantly contribute to student caloric intake. These research ...

School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity

July 19, 2012 | Report

National Secondary School Survey Results

Rebecca Project for Human Rights Expands Advocacy

May 3, 2011 | Program Results Report

From 2005 to 2010, the Washington-based Rebecca Project for Human Rights expanded its efforts to advocate on behalf of low-income families suffering from the impact of a parent's substance abuse.

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice and Policy for Healthy Youth

January 28, 2011 | Program Results Report

Bridging the Gap: Research Informing Practice for Healthy Youth Behavior conducts research on how laws, policies, practices, programs and other environmental influences at the state, community and school levels affect youth behaviors.

The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

October 15, 2009 | Journal Article

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) has been linked to higher risks of obesity. This paper explores SSB consumption and adverse health outcome evidence before discussing how SSB taxation may reduce intake, lower health care costs and generate federal health program revenue.

On the Rise: Use of Tobacco and Purging by Teens for Weight Control

April 11, 2008 | Program Results Report

Brigham and Women's Hospital expanded the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), which they established in 1996 to study the relationship between diet, physical activity and weight gain as children grow through adolescence.