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.

Are Soft Drink Taxes an Effective Mechanism for Reducing Obesity?

June 1, 2011 | Journal Article

Taxes alone won't have much impact on reducing obesity.

Teens Purchase Fewer Sugary Drinks After Seeing In-Store Calorie Signage

December 14, 2011 | News Release

Study shows providing calorie information as a physical activity equivalent may be most effective.

Santa Cruz County Students Making Local Restaurants Healthier

October 18, 2011 | Story

Winning Strategies in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity.

Rebecca Project for Human Rights Expands Advocacy

May 3, 2011 | Program Result Report

From 2005 to 2010, the Washington-based Rebecca Project for Human Rights expanded its efforts to advocate on behalf of low-income families suffering from the impact of a parent's substance abuse.

Influence of Licensed Characters on Children's Taste and Snack Preferences

July 1, 2010 | Journal Article

The child obesity epidemic in the U.S. has coincided with greater budgets within the food industry for marketing products to children.

Consumer Awareness of Fast-Food Calorie Information in New York City After Implementation of a Menu Labeling Regulation

December 1, 2010 | Journal Article

A study of consumer awareness of calorie information in New York City fast-food chains found that prominently posting calorie information in restaurants increases the number of people who report seeing the information and using it in their food choices.

Menu Labeling

June 1, 2009 | Issue Brief

Does Providing Nutrition Information at the Point of Purchase Affect Consumer Behavior?

Personal Responsibility and Obesity

March 1, 2010 | Journal Article

Government at all levels can use policy and regulation to help make the healthy choice the easy choice to prevent obesity and support individuals' efforts to lead healthy lives.

Fast Food Outlets Near NYC Schools: More Likely in Black Neighborhoods

April 12, 2011 | Story

What factors are associated with the clustering of fast food restaurants close to schools? Are they more likely to cluster around schools serving minority or poor children? Naa Oyo A. Kwate, Ph.D., set out to find some answers.

Calorie Labeling and Food Choices

October 6, 2009 | Journal Article

This study examined the influence of menu calorie labels on fast food choices in the wake of New York City's labeling mandate.