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.

Obesity and Health Risk of Children in the Mississippi Delta

October 1, 2012 | Journal Article

Elementary school-age children in the Mississippi Delta have a troubling distinction: a large percentage of them are overweight or obese, based on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratios. Assessing the impact of health policies, this study suggests, requires consistent measures of multiple weight-related outcomes, including BMI and waist-to-height ratio.

An Action Agenda for Schools and Communities to Fight Obesity

July 30, 2012 | Program Result Report

During 2006 to 2007, TV and radio host Tavis Smiley convened town hall meetings in four U.S. cities to raise awareness of childhood obesity. A key organization in each city then worked to spur state and local efforts to address the growing problem.

Targeting Overweight Kids and Their Parents in Vineland, N.J.

November 4, 2011 | Program Result Report

South Jersey Healthcare implemented Success Through Exercise, Physical Fitness and Sharing Information for Kids, a 12-week course that helps overweight children and their parents in low-income and minority communities combat obesity.

Availability of Competitive Foods and Beverages

June 1, 2010 | Issue Brief

Elementary school practices fall short of national recommendations for diet and physical activity.

Obesity Prevention in Children: Synergy with the Diabetes Initiative

March 18, 2010 | Program Result Report

The Diabetes Initiative extended its work to preventing or reducing childhood obesity, within four of its 14 diabetes-focused projects. The pilot projects targeted children ages 3 to 12 at greatest risk for obesity, particularly children in low-income communities.

Changes in School Environments with Implementation of Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003

February 1, 2010 | Journal Article

This study presents a five-year evaluation of Arkansas Legislative Act 1220, legislation that: required schools to measure student body-mass index and report BMI to parents, restricted access to vending machines, and created state and local health advisory committees.

A Comprehensive Coding System to Measure the Quality of School Wellness Policies

July 1, 2009 | Journal Article

A new coding system provides a practical tool for researchers, school administrators, and community members wishing to evaluate school wellness policies.

West Virginia Healthy Lifestyles Act of 2005

February 10, 2009 | Evaluation

In 2005, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III signed into law House Bill 2816--the Healthy Lifestyles Act--to help address the state's obesity epidemic. The evaluation was conducted in 2007 by a team from West Virginia University Health Sciences Center and was supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Information for Action: School Policies to Prevent Childhood Obesity

December 22, 2008 | Program Result Report

In response to dramatic increases in the number of Arkansas children and adolescents who are overweight or at risk for overweight, the Arkansas legislature passed Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 to Combat Obesity.

Mississippi Healthy Summit Leads to Increased Physical Activity Requirements in Schools

July 14, 2008 | Program Result Report

The state of Mississippi convened the Healthy Mississippi Summit, June 15, 2006, in Jackson, Miss., to focus attention on the primary causes of chronic diseases in Mississippi and to promote a statewide approach to promoting healthy lifestyles.