The Daily Tell

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reports that between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Even among ages 2 to 5, the rate of overweight and obesity is 24 percent. Worse, these percentages continue to grow.

Experts say that obesity is one of the easiest health problems to identify but it is among the most difficult to treat.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has made a commitment to try to put an end to this increasing problem and treat obese children. The foundation recently made a $33 million investment in community-based solutions to prevent child obesity.

The donation will serve 41 communities nation-wide with the hopes of reversing the child obesity epidemic by 2015. The 41 sites are funded through RWJF’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities program which supports efforts to improve access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity for children and their families.

Each of the 41 new communities will receive a four-year grant of up to $360,000 to implement innovative solutions to help children and families lead healthier lives. The strategies will target a range of institutions, from pre-schools to park programs, to ensure active play is encouraged.

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the RWJF hopes the funds will help change communities at their core, giving children and families the tools to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyles.

"All children, no matter where they live, should be able to jump on a bike and ride safely in their neighborhood or to school. They should be able to play in a well-maintained and crime-free park. And they and their families should be able to easily find – and afford -fresh, healthy foods," he says.

To date, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have invested $500 million to fight child obesity in America.