Statement from Joe Thompson, MD, MPH,
Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity on the release of the report: Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity within a Generation

“This report from the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity serves as a clarion call to do the right thing—safeguard the future of our children. It demonstrates that our nation’s leaders at the highest levels of government recognize the impact of this epidemic–the health of our children, our productivity in the workplace, our national security, and the economic standing of our nation are each in jeopardy. The report clearly lays out the integration and specific approaches that are needed to improve the environment within which children learn, grow, and play.

Most of the 70 recommendations align with policy priorities and initiatives of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity. From improving the quality of foods and beverages in child care and school settings, investing again in physical education and activity, launching a multi-year Healthy Food Financing initiative, expanding Safe Routes to School and ‘active transport’, these recommendations, taken together, can have a lasting impact on the health of our children – especially those at highest risk for becoming obese.  And the time to act is now.  A number of the key recommendations – including promoting healthy foods at school - can be implemented soon as part of Congress’s efforts to update and strengthen child nutrition programs.  

In addition to the demonstrated collaboration across the federal departments, the report also highlights the actions necessary at the state and local level and those required of industry and the private sector.  We will need to be vigilant to ensure that policy efforts at the federal, state and local level, are coordinated and make a positive impact in  all communities –  especially the communities that are most severely impacted – the African American, Latino, and geographically isolated communities. These families feel the impact of the childhood obesity epidemic most acutely and will need the most support.

The President and First Lady’s goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation has quantitative outcome indicators—returning to a childhood obesity rate of just five percent by 2030.  Consistent with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation goal of reversing the epidemic by 2015, the report sets a target of 17.1 percent of 2-19 year olds classified as obese in 2015. I believe these goals are achievable if we change policies and practices and do the right things for our kids.

The RWJF Center was honored to contribute to the report’s development.  We look forward to continuing on in partnership until the childhood obesity epidemic is reversed and all of America’s children can grow up strong and healthy.”

The full report is available online at:  http://www.letsmove.gov/tfco_fullreport_may2010.pdf.

Read more about the White House Task Force Report here.