ABSTRACT
Information on the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States abounds. However, the impact of overweight and obesity specifically among children receiving child welfare services (children in care) has received little attention. Although relatively little is known about obesity among children in care, limited studies suggest children in foster care are disproportionally affected, with children in long-term foster care or group homes at highest risk. Although child welfare work has not historically focused on reducing and preventing childhood obesity, child welfare agencies have an obligation to protect children’s physical and mental well-being, and the social work profession is uniquely qualified to deliver evidence-based obesity mitigation efforts among children in care.