Childhood Obesity

Issue

Kids Running Outside Obesity is robbing our children of their future. The statistics are startling and they all point in the same direction- childhood obesity is on the rise and is threatening the health of children now and as they grow into adulthood.

Recent research demonstrates that 60% of overweight pre-schoolers and 80% of overweight elementary school children become overweight teens. Heavy adolescents have an 80% chance of becoming overweight or obese as adults, increasing their risk for heart disease, stroke and type II Diabetes. Overweight and obesity may soon be the leading cause of preventable death.

Strategy

Since 2007, the Foundation has invested over $2 million in programs and education efforts to address childhood obesity. Our approach has been multi-dimensional, with grants to support nutrition education and physical activity in schools, afterschool programs and in youth serving agencies; a community awareness campaign to educate parents about the risks of obesity, and policy work to improve school nutrition.

Our current focus is on community wide approaches that bring together key stakeholders in local towns who can influence long-term environmental, policy and behavior change that addresses the root cause of overweight and obesity in children.

See what’s working in the Town of Franklin.

Resources

Children's BMI Tool for Schools

All links below are PDFs PDF .

		The Metrowest Experience in Child Obesity Prevention

		Child Obesity Report

		White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President

		Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Action Strategy Toolkit Guide for local and state leaders working to create healthy communities and prevent childhood obesity

		Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Bridging the Gap School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity: National Elementary School Survey Results

Childhood Obesity

Issue

Strategy

walkBoston