The Healthy Weight Program

American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America Grant Bolsters Fight Against Childhood Obesity

The Healthy Weight Program at CHOP is leading the fight against childhood obesity in Philadelphia, which records some of the highest numbers of overweight and obese children in the U.S.—nearly 70% of children ages 6 to 11 in some regions, according to the Philadelphia Department of Health. To face this rising health crisis, the Healthy Weight Program has launched an initiative to expand its prevention and educational outreach efforts in the area, made possible by a $10 million grant from the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, a non-profit entity of the American Beverage Association (ABA).

This gift enables the Healthy Weight Program to offer its coordinated clinical evaluations and care to more Philadelphia neighborhoods and through the CHOP Care Network, with the expectation of more than tripling the number of annual patient visits. New and continuing clinical studies at the Research Institute will be submitted to peer-reviewed publications, and evidence-based best practices for successful weight management will be shared with other clinical programs around the country. This research will also be used to encourage insurance coverage for obesity prevention and treatment.

"At a time when obtaining research funding is becoming more challenging, this support will produce tangible benefits for thousands of children in our region and beyond," says CHOP CEO Steven M. Altschuler, M.D.