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.

Soap-Opera-Style Spanish-Language Video Aims to Help Hispanics Prevent or Manage Diabetes

December 1, 2005 | Program Result

The University of Massachusetts Medical School created a videotaped soap-opera-style drama for use in interventions designed to increase physical activity and improve diets among low-literate and illiterate Hispanic individuals.

Addressing Childhood Obesity and Diabetes in Tribal Communities in New Mexico

January 15, 2013 | Program Result

The Notah Begay III Foundation sponsored research, meetings, and interviews on the incidence, causes, and impact of obesity and type 2 diabetes among Native American youth in New Mexico, and how to address those challenges.

Overhauling a Tribal Food System

April 11, 2012 | Program Result

The Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative in rural Oklahoma brings together tribal decisionmakers, health experts and farmers to help overhaul the local food system, address obesity among native people and reconnect with traditional tribal practices.

Obesity Prevention in Children: Synergy with Diabetes Initiative

National Program

Program to support efforts of schools and communities to increase access to healthy, lower-calorie foods.

Turning the Tide for Native American Children

November 19, 2012 | Report

The Notah Begay III Foundation conducted stakeholder interviews and held meetings to examine the epidemics of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes among Native-American children in New Mexico. This report shares their findings.

Obesity Prevention in Children: Synergy with the Diabetes Initiative

March 18, 2010 | Program Result

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.

Environmental Scan of Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in New Mexico Native American Communities

September 17, 2012 | Report

An environmental scan of New Mexico’s pueblos, tribes, and off-reservation Native communities in an effort to obtain a comprehensive picture of the obesity and diabetes epidemic in New Mexico.

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.

Policy Briefs and Website Show California Lawmakers Rates of Childhood Obesity and Diabetes in Their Districts

June 9, 2008 | Program Result

In 2001, the California Center for Public Health Advocacy published policy briefs about childhood obesity and fitness levels and diabetes mortality rates throughout California.

Cincinnati Churches Take Wellness Pledge

September 7, 2011 | Story

Winning Strategies in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity.