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.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement Regarding Release of "In It for Good: 2012" Annual Progress Report by Partnership for a Healthier America

March 7, 2013 | Commentary

RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey sees "pockets of progress toward reversing the childhood obesity epidemic," but says more needs to be done.

Philadelphia School District Reports Progress in Reducing Childhood Obesity Rates

September 6, 2012 | Commentary/News Release/Journal Article/Story

Largest declines seen among African American boys and Hispanic girls.

Philadelphia Freedom

September 6, 2012 | Commentary/Journal Article

This commentary by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey and Senior Vice President and Director, Health Group, Jim Marks reflects on the findings from “Obesity and Severe Obesity among Students in the School District o ...

Statement from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Regarding Proposed Ban on Large Sugary Drinks in New York City

June 7, 2012 | Commentary/Story

The proposal to limit serving sizes of sugar-sweetened beverages is a creative attempt to achieve this goal. Scientific research shows that portion size influences how much people consume.

Statement Regarding The Walt Disney Company's Pledge to Help Prevent Childhood Obesity Through New Marketing Standards

June 5, 2012 | Commentary/Story/Staff and Leadership

"Having fun is an important part of growing up. But kids can’t have fun if they aren’t healthy. We commend Disney for recognizing that, and for making changes in their business model to help kids lead healthier lives.”

Statement Regarding Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention

May 8, 2012 | Commentary

“Is it possible to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic?” We know now that the answer is emphatically, “Yes.”

RWJF Comments on Walmart "Great for You" Nutrition Icon

February 6, 2012 | Commentary/Story

Over the past year, Walmart has reformulated more than 150 products to reduce sodium and added sugar, cut prices on fruits and vegetables, and opened 20 new stores that bring healthy affordable foods to previously underserved “food deserts.”

New USDA School Meal Guidelines: Paving the Way for a Healthier Future for Millions of Children

January 24, 2012 | Commentary/Story

“These changes are badly needed. Although many schools have made significant improvements to their meal programs, we must ensure that all schools strive to provide more nutritious meals for students."

RWJF Statement Regarding Study on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax

January 8, 2012 | Commentary

The following is a statement from James S. Marks, MD, MPH, senior vice president and director, Health Group, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, regarding the study: "A Penny-Per-Ounce Tax On Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Would Cut Health And Cost Burdens Of Diabetes, Obesity, And Heart Disease," by Y. Claire Wang, et al., published in Health Affairs on January 9, 2012.

Partnerships for Progress in Active Living

January 1, 2012 | Commentary

This special issue of Health & Place highlights some of the research studies on active living research that were presented at the 2011 Active Living Research Annual Conference that should be useful for researchers, practitioners and advocates.