{"id":2675,"date":"2015-02-08T14:53:14","date_gmt":"2015-02-08T03:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.panicola.com\/?p=2675"},"modified":"2015-02-08T14:55:35","modified_gmt":"2015-02-08T03:55:35","slug":"rwjf-continues-to-go-large-on-childhood-obesity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.panicola.com\/?p=2675","title":{"rendered":"RWJF continues to go large on childhood obesity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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http:\/\/www.rwjf.org\/en\/about-rwjf\/newsroom\/newsroom-content\/2015\/02\/rwjf_doubles_commitment_to_healthy_weight_for_children.html<\/p>\n

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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Doubles Its Commitment to Helping All Children Grow Up at a Healthy Weight<\/h1>\n

RWJF dedicates a total of $1 billion since 2007 to ensuring that all children have access to healthier foods and opportunities to be physically active.<\/h3>\n

February 5, 2015<\/h3>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Princeton, N.J.\u2015<\/b>Recognizing that obesity remains one of the biggest threats to the health of our children, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced it will commit $500 million over the next ten years to expand efforts to ensure that all children in the United States\u2014no matter who they are or where they live\u2015can grow up at a healthy weight. Building on a $500 million commitment made in 2007, the nation\u2019s largest health philanthropy will have dedicated more than $1 billion to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic. Encouraged by recent signs of progress in turning rates around, RWJF views this investment as critical to building a Culture of Health in communities across the United States.<\/p>\n

With this new $500 million pledge, RWJF signals its commitment to expand and accelerate that progress, with an intensified focus on those places and populations hardest hit by the epidemic. New work will advance strategies that help eliminate health disparities that contribute to higher obesity rates among children of color and children living in poverty across the United States. The Foundation also announced an expanded focus on preventing obesity in early childhood and on engaging parents, youth and health care providers to be active champions for healthier communities and schools.<\/p>\n

Over the last decade, RWJF has been a leader in supporting nationwide efforts to change policies and school and community environments in ways that make the healthy choice the easy choice for children and families. Working in partnership with other funders and leaders in a variety of sectors, key initiatives enabled schools nationwide to transform their campuses into healthier places for kids and helped communities expand access to nutritious foods and safe places to be active. States and cities ranging from California to\u00a0Mississippi, and New York City to Anchorage, Alaska, have begun reporting declining childhood obesity rates.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy 2025, we want to ensure that children in America grow up at a healthy weight, no matter who they are or where they live,\u201d said RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD. \u201cWe have made substantial progress, but there is far more to do and we can\u2019t stop now. This commitment is part of the Foundation\u2019s effort to build a Culture of Health in every community across the country. We all have a role to play in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods to ensure that all kids have healthy food and safe places to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building on work the Foundation has implemented previously, RWJF will support research, action and advocacy strategies focused on the following priorities over the next decade:<\/p>\n