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.

Monitoring Foods and Nutrients Sold and Consumed in the United States

January 1, 2012 | Journal Article

As food production and consumption change, researchers look to datasets to provide information on food in America.

Improving Research on Childhood Obesity

October 12, 2011 | Program Result

The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania integrated a senior statistician into the research team at the Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, to improve quality, coordination and productivity across multiple studies of childhood obesity.

Can Tag Help Schools Teach?

March 1, 2012 | Issue Brief

Strengthening recess transforms the school climate, paving the way for less bullying and more focus on learning, according to new evaluation findings from Mathematica Policy Research and Stanford University.

A Patchwork of Progress

November 1, 2011 | Report

California making headway in battle against childhood obesity but study shows successes are uneven.

YMCA's Pioneering Healthier Communities

November 5, 2012 | Program Result

A Progress Report: Combating childhood obesity through local and state policy change.

2008: The Year in Research

January 7, 2009 | Commentary/Story

Every year we choose 10 articles from our top research and evaluation projects that had real impact in the policy arena, helped shape our thinking and work, or stood out in other ways. This year we asked you to participate in the selection process with us. Please read further to see the results.

Looking for Connections to Combat Childhood Obesity

September 4, 2012 | Program Result

Researchers at LeCroy & Milligan Associates analyzed the networks of organizations working on childhood obesity prevention to describe their relationships, determine RWJF's position in the network, and identify potential future connections.

The Impact of Menu Labeling on Fast-Food Purchases for Children and Parents

October 1, 2011 | Journal Article

This study examines the impact menu labeling at restaurants has on calories purchased by children and parents. The authors found that, while awareness of nutrition information and calories increased because of nutrition labeling, calories purchased did not decrease.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities

February 17, 2012 | Program Result

In Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, partnerships in 49 communities nationwide are changing local policies and revamping the physical environment to foster healthy living and prevent childhood obesity.

Changing Policies and the Physical Environment So Children and Families Can Eat Well and Move More

February 14, 2012 | Story

A profile of Sarah Strunk, MHA, director of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities.