“Policy, systems, and environmental change is not a path for those chasing quick wins. It’s a long, complex journey toward equitable and healthy living—one that continually reveals deeper layers of inequity and disparity. Real change demands persistence, humility, and a commitment to justice.”
Throughout this 20-year journey, RWJF worked with partners to assess what was working, what was not, and what needed to change. By closely examining any shortcomings, we aimed to refine the approach and make it stronger.
One area where the field reflected and changed course was the reliance on body mass index (BMI) as a measure of health. Over time, it became clear that focusing on BMI in reports and stories contributed to stigma and caused real harm. It may have led to people blaming individual children and families, or even worse to children and families blaming themselves. The obesity prevention field ultimately realized it had to tell a different story. By focusing on the policies and systems that shape health, and showcasing the positive work of community leaders, the field could foster hope and reinforce that a healthier future was possible.
In many ways, the collective efforts to address childhood obesity, coupled with honest reflections about that work, continue to shape RWJF’s approach to other issues. Our commitment to dismantling structural racism and advancing health equity draws directly on so much of what we have learned through this ongoing work of reflection and evolution.
