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.

School Soft Drink Availability and Consumption Among U.S. Secondary Students

June 1, 2013 | Journal Article

The association between regular and diet soft drink availability in schools and student consumption is examined in this article.

Menu Labeling Regulations and Calories Purchased at Chain Restaurants

June 1, 2013 | Journal Article

This study examined whether the mean number of calories purchased by consumers decreased after the regulation to include caloric information on menus was implemented.

Consumers Underestimate Calories in Fast-Food Meals; Teens Do So by as Much as 34 Percent

May 23, 2013 | News Release

Two new studies from Healthy Eating Research highlight the importance of menu labeling.

Consumers' Estimation of Calorie Content at Fast Food Restaurants

May 23, 2013 | Journal Article

In an effort to prevent overweight and obesity due to increased fast-food consumption, new national policy will require restaurants to post calories on their menus.

Avoid SNAP Judgments

May 22, 2013 | Culture of Health Post

Supporting SNAP is both the right thing to do and the smart thing to do, writes RWJF Vice President James S. Marks in an op-ed in the Huffington Post.

An Advocacy Academy for Southerners Concerned With Preventing Childhood Obesity

May 22, 2013 | Program Result Report

Consultants from Tandeka LLC developed and led a pilot training program that prepares advocates to spearhead public-policy advocacy campaigns, particularly ones that promote childhood obesity prevention policies.

Unhealthy Food Ads Dominate Spanish TV Shows for Kids

May 8, 2013 | News Release

More than 84 percent of all foods and beverages advertised to children on Spanish-language television shows are unhealthy, according to a new study.

The Influence of Public and Green Spaces on Physical Activity Among Blacks and Whites

May 2, 2013 | Story

Rashawn Ray, PhD, a Scholar in RWJF's Scholars in Health Policy Research program (2010–12), examines patterns of exercise and use of public spaces by people of different racial and economic backgrounds.

Understanding the Economics of Obesity

May 2, 2013 | Story

Health economist John Cawley, PhD, examines obesity from all angles: costs, consequences, and cures.

Food Marketing to Children on U.S. Spanish-Language Television

May 2, 2013 | Journal Article

More than 84 percent of all foods and beverages advertised to children on Spanish-language television shows are unhealthy, as compared to nearly 73 on English-language television.