A growing body of research has made clear the need to focus on our youngest Californians, to ensure they grow up healthy. As we now know, childhood obesity is a problem of epidemic proportions. The prevalence of obesity among children ages two to five in the United States has more than doubled to 14% in the past 20 years and the rate is even higher (and growing more quickly) for low income children. California's young children are disproportionately low income, and, as a result, they, and their families, represent an important target audience for education about childhood obesity, healthy eating, and the importance of regular physical activity.

Over the past year, the First 5 Association of California has been working in partnership with California Department of Public Health’s Network for a Healthy California to identify best practices to address the childhood obesity epidemic. This website showcases the work of this collaboration.