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 Can the United States Keep Obesity-Related Health Care Costs Under Control?

March 1, 2012 | Issue Brief

Investments in efforts to prevent chronic health problems like obesity can have significant budget savings.

Obesity, Self-Esteem and Wages

April 1, 2011 | Book

Obesity is associated with serious health problems, and it can generate adverse economic outcomes.

Feedback from the Field

June 7, 2010 | Story

"One Minute Memos" from our partners and the public, sharing their thoughts and ideas on health reform.

Making the Economic Case for Addressing Obesity in the United States

December 3, 2012 | Program Result

The Campaign to End Obesity conducted a study to demonstrate that effective anti-obesity initiatives can significantly lower the epidemic's burden on the nation's health care system over the long term.

July 2012 President's Message to the Board of Trustees

July 1, 2012 | Annual Report

In her July 2012 message, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey examines the challenges that confront the nation in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act.

Understanding the Economic Costs of Obesity

May 2, 2013 | Story

Health economist John Cawley, PhD, examines obesity from all angles: costs, consequences, and cures.

CBO Scoring Misses Billions of Dollars in Potential Long-Term Savings from Effective Obesity Prevention Policies, According to New Study

April 24, 2013 | News Release

Obesity-prevention policies could save the U.S. billions of dollars in the long run. A new report from the Campaign to End Obesity shows that the way estimates for the costs of legislation are done now misses a lot of their value.

Adult Obesity Rates Could Exceed 60 Percent in 13 States by 2030, According to New Study

September 18, 2012 | News Release

The number of obese adults, along with related disease rates and health care costs, are on course to increase dramatically in every state in the country over the next 20 years, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012.

F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012

September 18, 2012 | Report

F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2012 is the 9th edition of the annual report by RWJF and Trust for America’s Health. For the first time, the report forecasts adult obesity rates in each state by 2030 and the likely resulting rise in obesity-related diseases and health care costs.

A Penny-Per-Ounce Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Would Cut Health and Cost Burdens of Diabetes

January 1, 2012 | Journal Article

When we drink sugar-sweetened beverages, research strongly suggests we increase our risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and premature death. We can prevent unnecessary, potentially life-threatening conditions—and help avoid billions of dollars in medical costs over a decade—by enacting a penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, this study finds.