Online Child’s Health Assessment Tool for Obesity Prevention Programming

• Main Authors: Laura A. Palmer, Kimberly J. McCarthy, Daniel F. Perkins, Lynne M. Borden, Jennifer M. DiNallo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 2018-09-01
• Series: Journal of Youth Development
• Subjects: childhood obesity; youth; cyfar; after-school; chat; nutrition; physical activity; health
• Online Access: http://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/599

To optimize public health in the next decade, prevention of childhood obesity will remain a central focus. To impact behavioral change, data must be linked to continuous quality improvements within existing nutrition and physical activity programming. The Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk Professional Development and Technical Assistance Center has developed a picture-based, online survey tool, the CYFAR Health Assessment Tool (CHAT), to assess health behaviors in youth ages 6 to18 years of age. Used for continuous program improvement, aggregate data results are coupled with tailored health recommendations in 4 domains (behavior and environmental modifications, education, and direct strategies) and evidence-informed resources for dissemination to youth and parents. Program implementers use the data and resources for targeted programmatic improvements that more effectively promote health and well-being. CHAT also informs our collective understanding of youth’s perceptions of health in comparison to their actual behaviors.