Understanding Childhood Obesity in New Jersey

NJ Child Health Study (2012–2021) 

Two longitudinal projects comprise the NJ Child Health Study. One followed a panel of low-income children in four NJ cities to study the impact of changes in the food and physical activity environment on changes in weight status and associated behaviors. The other followed a panel of 120 public schools in those four cities to study the role of changes in the environment on declines in obesity rates among school children. Both projects are described below.

These studies were conducted by collaborating researchers at Rutgers University and Arizona State University. For more information, please contact Michael Yedidia, PhD, MPH, Research Professor or Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, PhD, RD, Professor.

Project #1: 2012-2019

Funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the first project (2012–2019) studied the impact of changes in the food and physical activity (PA) environments on childhood obesity and related behaviors in four New Jersey cities – Newark, Camden, Trenton, and New Brunswick. Panels of children were followed through household surveys administered at two points in time to determine changes in their weight status and in food and PA behaviors.

Project #2: 2017-2021

The second project (2017–2021), funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI/NIH), was designed to identify alterable factors in the food and physical activity (PA) environment that contribute to declines in obesity rates among school children. The project focused on all public schools in Newark, Trenton, Camden, and New Brunswick, following 120 schools (30,000 students/year) over six years. The study provided critical evidence for developing tailored community and school interventions for reducing the burden of childhood obesity.

NJ Childhood Obesity Study (2008–2011)

Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Rutgers Center for State Health Policy conducted the New Jersey Childhood Obesity Study in five cities: Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Trenton, and Vineland. Research assessed the prevalence of childhood obesity in these communities and provided community specific information on contributing factors that can be addressed through policy and environmental changes. 

The main components of the study included:  

• A household survey of 1700 families with children;  

• Height and weight data from public school districts; and  

• Objective assessment of the food and physical activity environments. 

For more information, please contact Michael Yedidia, PhD, MPH, Research Professor.