A girl chooses an orange from a bin at a food store.
A girl chooses an orange from a bin at a food store.

Understanding and Preventing Childhood Obesity

HEALTHY CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Childhood obesity is one of the biggest threats to our nation’s health, economy, and future. We must ensure all children are able to grow up at a healthy weight and have a healthy start in life.

RWJF supports leaders across America who are making it easier for children and families in their communities to access affordable, healthy foods and places to be active. 

Before School Run Club, Keeth Elementary

The State of Childhood Obesity

The newest data shows that 15 percent of kids between the ages of 10 and 17 in this age range have obesity—a number that’s remained pretty consistent over the last couple of years. How is RWJF helping to build communities, leaders, and polices that can respond? 

Explore data interactives, stories, and expert insights about promising strategies for helping all kids grow up healthy.

SEE THE LATEST

Related News and Insights

Read expert perspectives and the latest research from RWJF to explore the opportunities and complexities of this topic.

Blog Post
Grocery shopping blog illustration

Let’s Give All Our Children the Healthiest Start Possible

Families need access to affordable, healthy foods so they can nourish their children and create a strong foundation for a healthy future.

5-min read

Childhood Obesity Nutrition
Blog Post
Global insights on addressing weight blog.

Can Global Insights Help the U.S. Reframe Obesity?

Diet and physical activity play a role in body size, but they are not the only factors. Lessons from abroad point to ways the U.S. can improve health policy around childhood obesity by taking culture into account.

5-min read

Childhood Obesity Global Learning
Blog Post
Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Middle School

Why We Need Healthy School Meals for All

Healthy School Meals for All offers students and schools the stability and support they need as they continue adapting to pandemic-driven change amidst ongoing challenges. Now is not the time to let this policy expire.

5-min read

Childhood Obesity Nutrition
View All

Featured Initiatives

RWJF funds many initiatives in support of our vision for a Culture of Health. For this focus area, these initiatives were selected to demonstrate grantmaking that is helping us achieve the greatest impact.  

A man washes a plant while a young boy looks on in a garden.

Salud America!

Salud America! addresses an important public health problem: Latino children are more likely to be obese than other children.

Kevin Rebolledo, left, 6, and Issac Mendez, 7, eat salads as a snack at YMCA Judson Community Center. The YMCA Judson Community Center is located in Sterling, which is one of Greenville's special emphasis neighborhoods.

Healthy Eating Research

Healthy Eating Research supports research on the most effective policy and environmental strategies to prevent childhood obesity, especially among groups at highest risk for obesity.

RWJF Signs of Progress Project Tennessee Junior Chef Program Erma Siegel Elementary School Tyrone Turner

State of Childhood Obesity

Explore the latest data and expertise about policies and programs that can help kids grow up healthy. Plus, read stories about communities taking action to prevent obesity.

Current Grant Opportunities

We realize that building a Culture of Health will take unprecedented collaboration and a deeper understanding of where barriers exist and how to overcome them.

We have previously funded opportunities in this area of focus with the goal to strengthen and advance health equity, and we have more work to do.

Healthy Eating Research

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Wed, 5 Apr 2023, 3:00 p.m. ET

Apply Now

Evidence for Action: Innovative Research to Advance Racial Equity

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now

Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open

Apply Now