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.

California Making Headway in Battle Against Childhood Obesity But Study Shows Successes are Uneven

November 9, 2011 | News Release

Study shows statewide rates for overweight and obesity among school-age children may be leveling off, but progress is uneven across counties.

School-Based Body Mass Index Screening and Parent Notification

November 1, 2011 | Journal Article

Current methods for reporting students' BMI to parents do not seem to have an impact on pediatric obesity in California.

Reversing the Trend in Childhood Obesity

January 1, 2011 | Report

Making schools healthier, increasing access to fresh, local produce highest priorities.

Promoting Healthy Communities and Preventing Childhood Obesity

February 1, 2010 | Report

2009 cited as banner year for legislative action on healthy food, physical activity and community design measures.

Shaping a Healthier Generation

September 1, 2009 | Report

This report looks at actions states are taking to prevent obesity and encourage children to eat healthier and be more active in child care, school, community and health care settings.

Overview of State and Local Funds to Support Healthy Communities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

April 1, 2009 | Issue Brief

An overview of the specific ways state and local policy-makers can use the economic recovery act to create healthier environments for children and their families.

Promoting Healthy Communities and Reducing Childhood Obesity

March 1, 2009 | Report

This report summarizes state legislation proposed and passed in two broad policy categories—Healthy Eating and Physical Activity and Healthy Community Design and Access to Healthy Food.

Surveillance, Screening, and Reporting Children's BMI in a School-Based Setting

September 1, 2009 | Journal Article

Federal and state government officials who seek to determine the scope of the childhood and adolescent obesity problem are using a spectrum of tools that include reporting, screening and surveillance initiatives.

Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 to Reduce Childhood Obesity

January 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This assessment of an early comprehensive piece of legislation to fight childhood obesity shows the weight status of Arkansas children may be stabilized and positive policy changes should support ongoing improvement. But implementing the act's intent faces ongoing challenges, according to this study from the 2008 Active Living Research Conference.

State Legislation to Address Childhood Obesity

December 14, 2012 | Program Result Report

Researchers analyzed state legislation on childhood obesity for factors that predict enactment and to understand the relationship between enacted policies and obesity rates. They developed tools to help others analyze legislation.