Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., home to our nation’s capital, is full of historical landmarks, cultural attractions, and a bustling downtown with plenty of restaurants and shops. Away from the city’s bright lights, though, it bears a troubling problem: 35 percent of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for serious health problems.

Additionally, the significant racial and ethnic disparities that exist in obesity prevalence among U.S. children are pronounced in Washington D.C.’s diverse communities: nearly 50 percent of residents are Black or African American.*

Thanks to support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is working with communities throughout the district to make it easier for kids to lead healthier lives.

Our Work in Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., we’re making it easier for kids to develop healthy habits.

More than 170 schools serving over 70,000 students across the district have joined Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, creating healthier school environments for children to thrive. Since 2007, nine Washington, D.C. schools have been recognized with National Healthy Schools Awards for their outstanding efforts.

We’ve made it easier for over 3,000 youth in 29 out-of-school time sites to eat and move more, focusing on the communities in greatest need in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

Success Stories

Hear from just a few of the local champions we work with in Washington, D.C. – Seaton Elementary School, a 2016 National Healthy Schools Gold Award-winner enrolled in the Healthy Schools Program since 2014 and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, enrolled in the Healthy Out-of-School Time initiative since 2012.