Gap in diet quality between wealthiest and poorest Americans doubles, study finds

October 10, 2014

By Tracie McMillan The diets of low-income Americans have worsened in the past decade, even as the diets of the wealthiest Americans have improved, according to a new study that is among the first to measure changes in diet quality...

Farmers market vouchers may help low-income families eat healthier

August 27, 2014

Giving low-income families vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables at farmers markets could increase their consumption of these healthy foods, according to a new study. Low-income families tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables. In addition to not having adequate...

RWJF infographic explains positive impact of healthier school meals

June 9, 2014

A new infographic from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) draws on the best of RWJF-funded research to show how 30+ million kids in the United States have healthier school meal options than children had 10 years ago. Released June...

Less sleep linked with obesity in low-income kids

June 6, 2014

Kids from low-income homes who get less sleep at night may have a higher risk of obesity, a small new study suggests. Researchers from the Rush University Prevention Center examined several potential obesity risk factors — including food intake and...

Access to healthy food improves health, brings economic benefits

March 21, 2014

Access to healthy food can bring triple bottom-line benefits to communities — better health, new jobs, and a revitalized economy. But nearly 30 million Americans still live in low-income areas with limited access to supermarkets. The problem is particularly acute...

Siting markets in ‘food deserts’ no quick cure for obesity, study says

March 7, 2014

By Melissa Healy The logic seems simple enough: The consumption of healthy foods is low and obesity is high in neighborhoods where supermarkets are notably absent; so, opening supermarkets in those neighborhoods should boost consumption of healthier foods and drive down obesity. Right? Not...

Screen time again linked to kids’ extra weight

January 8, 2014

Children and teenagers who spend lots of time in front of screens – especially TVs – tend to gain more weight as they age, according to a new study. The findings are consistent with research suggesting all that idle sitting...

Obesity rates decline among low-income preschoolers after rising for decades

August 14, 2013

By Lena H. Sun After decades of rising, obesity rates among low-income U.S. preschoolers declined broadly from 2008-2011, according to a federal report released Aug. 6 that offered the first glimpse of good news for children considered among the most vulnerable to the...