TABLE 3.

Methods Used to Evaluate Healthy Eating, Active Communities (HEAC) Program Sites: California, 2005–2010

Children's Environment	Evaluation Methods
Schools	School physical activity environmental assessment: measures resources, equipment, and physical activity opportunities available at schools
	School beverages and competitive foods environmental assessment: measures food environment, policy implementation status, food and beverage marketing, and other environmental factors influencing healthy eating at schools
	PE activity levels: assesses physical activity levels during PE classes
	School stakeholder survey: documents perspectives on changing school nutrition and physical activity environment
	Student nutrition and physical activity survey: assesses student diet and physical activity and the impact of environmental changes on attitudes and behaviors of youth
	Financial impact study: assesses impact of implementing nutrition standards for a la carte beverages and foods on revenues, expenditures, and net profits from sales of beverages and foods on campus during the school day
	Fitnessgram data analysis: assesses student fitness and BMI (secondary data analysis of existing quantitative data sets) and relates these data to policy and environmental change strategies
After school	After-school beverage and food environmental assessment: examines beverage and a la carte food offerings and sales in after-school settings
	After-school physical activity environmental assessment: measures resources, equipment, and physical activity opportunities and programming in after-school programs
	After-school physical activity levels: assesses physical activity levels during physical activity programming
	After-school stakeholder survey: documents perspectives on changing the after-school nutrition and physical activity environment
Health care	Health care provider survey: describes how health care providers address obesity prevention and promote good nutrition and physical activity in their clinical practices
	Health care environmental assessment: examines beverage and food sales and physical activity opportunities at health care institutions and public health departments
	Health care stakeholder survey: documents opportunities for and challenges to health care participation in policy and environmental change strategies for obesity prevention
	Public health department survey: identifies practices for, strategies for, opportunities for, and barriers to public health department engagement in obesity prevention, as well as policy opportunities for public health departments
Neighborhood	Physical activity environmental assessment: examines the physical activity environment and resources in neighborhoods
	Food and beverage environmental assessment: examines the presence of food and beverage retail stores, restaurants, and food advertising and marketing in neighborhoods
	In-store food and beverage assessment (large-store and small-store versions): documents the presence, placement, and advertisement of snack foods and beverages in retail food establishments
	Neighborhood stakeholder survey: documents attitudes and perceptions about neighborhoods, engagement of neighborhood youth and other residents, and strategies and policies for improving the food and physical activity environment in the neighborhood
	Community resident survey: telephone survey with parents to assess attitudes about and perspectives on the food and physical activity environment, as well as support for environmental and policy strategies to address unhealthy environments
	Youth focus group guide: documents youth perceptions and opinions regarding the nutrition and physical activity environment, and examines youth leadership in and efficacy as change agents
	Parent focus group guide: documents parent engagement in HEAC strategies

Note. PE = physical education; BMI = body mass index.