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.

The Proof is in the Pudding

June 1, 2011 | Journal Article

The Fletcher research team agrees with Chaloupka and colleagues on a number of issues regarding sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) policy. For one, taxation is a way to reduce SSB consumption providing youth are the primary target.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Obesity

June 1, 2011 | Journal Article

Looking at successful strategies used to reduce tobacco use and harmful drinking—can they do the same for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption?

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Obesity Prevention

June 1, 2011 | Journal Article

Chaloupka and colleagues take exception with a few points in this issue's commentary by the Fletcher research team.

Food Prices and the Dynamics of Body Weight

April 1, 2011 | Book

A popular policy option for addressing the growth in weight has been the imposition of a “fat tax” on selected foods that are deemed to promote obesity. This study tested the short- and long-run body weight consequences of changing food prices.

Impact of Targeted Beverage Taxes on Higher- and Lower-Income Households

December 13, 2010 | Journal Article

A sugar-sweetened beverage tax would affect the waistline and wallet of middle-income households more than that of those in low-income and high income brackets.

Taxing Soft Drinks and Restricting Access to Vending Machines to Curb Child Obesity

April 1, 2010 | Journal Article

One of the largest drivers of the current obesity epidemic is thought to be excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

October 15, 2009 | Journal Article

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) has been linked to higher risks of obesity. This paper explores SSB consumption and adverse health outcome evidence before discussing how SSB taxation may reduce intake, lower health care costs and generate federal health program revenue.

Are Americans Ready to Solve the Weight of the Nation?

August 2, 2012 | Journal Article

Obesity prevention social marketing is needed, but care should be taken not to stigmatize obese people and risk increased feelings of shame felt particularly by obese children.

Soft Drink Taxes

September 1, 2009 | Issue Brief

A policy brief from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity explores the potential impact of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Public Health

July 1, 2009 | Issue Brief

Research brief provides the latest data about the potential effects of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes on consumer behavior and health.