Childhood obesity is one of our nation’s leading health threats. And the prevention of childhood obesity is a critical focus for the American Heart Association as an integral part of achieving our mission: building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

We recommend strategies for prevention that improve the social and physical environment for healthful eating and physical activity in children. These strategies include influencing policy and legislation, mobilizing communities and neighborhoods, changing organizational practices, fostering coalitions and networks, educating providers, promoting community education and strengthening individual knowledge and skills to practice positive health habits. Find out more about our children’s health initiatives below.



 

Alliance for a Healthier Generation The Alliance for a Healthier Generation was founded by the AHA and Clinton Foundation in 2005 to create a healthier generation and positively affect the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, restaurants, doctors' offices and communities.	NFL PLAY 60 Challenge The AHA has teamed up with the NFL’s PLAY 60 campaign to create the NFL PLAY 60 Challenge to inspire middle school students to be more physically active and to help schools become places that encourage active lifestyles year-round.	Advocating for Children’s Health The AHA supports numerous policy issues related to children’s health including efforts to improve quality physical education and school nutrition through state and federal legislation.
Jump Rope For Heart Since 1978, Jump Rope For Heart has been AHA’s educational fundraising program for millions of elementary school students across the nation. Participants learn jump rope skills as well as how their hearts work, and how to keep them beating healthy and strong.	Hoops For Heart Middle school students that participate in Hoops For Heart have learn basketball skills and the importance of heart health, while raising dollars to support lifesaving research and learning about the importance of community service.