Promoting healthy lifestyles for children & families

California

California Children’s Healthy Eating & Exercise Practices Survey, 1999 (CalCHEEPS)

CalCHEEPS was conducted from April 21 to June 28, 1999, by Fleishman-Hilliard Research and the Public Health Institute and was funded by the USDA and the California Endowment. Eight hundred fourteen 9-11 year-old California children were assisted by their parents in keeping a 2-day food and physical activity diary. A sub-sample of 394 children were surveyed by phone on their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about healthy eating and physical activity.

California Dietary Practices Surveys (CDPS)

The California Dietary Practices Surveys (CDPS) is the most extensive dietary and physical activity assessment of adults 18 years and older in the state of California. CDPS was designed in 1989, and is administered biennially in odd years. CDPS was designed to monitor dietary trends, especially fruit and vegetable consumption, among California adults for evaluating their progress toward meeting the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Healthy People 2010 objectives, and the1990 California Daily Food Guide recommendations.

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)

The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is the largest state health survey conducted to date in the United States, collecting information from every county in California. The survey focuses on public health and access to health care, and has been conducted every two years since 2001. From asthma, diabetes and obesity to immigrant health and the number of Californians with health insurance, CHIS covers dozens of essential health topics. Many core questions are repeated in each survey in order to measure significant shifts over time.

California Healthy Kids Resource Center

The California Healthy Kids Resource Center (CHKRC) maintains a comprehensive collection of reviewed health education materials for use by teachers, administrators, university faculty, LEA staff and other professionals who work with preschool through 12th grade students in school settings and after-school programs.

California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS)

CHKS, a tool sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE), provides school districts with an instrument to assess an array of health indicators related to academic success. Survey questions are drawn primarily from the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (see YRBS under National Surveys) and the California Student Substance Use Survey. Since 1999, the YRBS is administered in California as the CHKS. The results of this survey are not representative of California as it is only administered selectively at the discretion of individual school districts.

California High School Fast Food Survey, 2000

In 2000, the Public Health Institute and Samuels & Associates conducted this survey of California district level food service directors in order to assess the prevalence of fast foods and access to healthy foods in 345 California high school campuses, representing 171 California school districts. The study describes: the types of fast foods being sold on California high school campuses; the factors that influence fast food sales; and the economic and policy issues associated with these sales. The report includes both these findings and policy recommendations.

California Physical Fitness Test

The California Physical Fitness Test is a statewide student physical fitness test directed by AB 265 in 1995 to be administered at least once every two years. The State Board of Education designated the Fitnessgram as the required physical performance test to be administered to California students. Population tested: California 5th, 7th and 9th graders. Although the test is mandated, the extent of testing has been affected by logistical and fiscal issues. Used to assess: aerobic capacity, body composition, strength, flexibility, and endurance.

California Research Bureau (CRB) Children’s Healthy Lifestyle Report

This report, entitled "Overweight Kids: Why Should We Care?" is based on focus groups conducted within communities throughout California by the California Research Bureau (CRB). Population studied: 19 focus groups of children and parents in ethnically diverse communities in California.

California School Food Finance Study, 2001

In 2000, the California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) commissioned Samuels and Associates to conduct a study of food service finances in order to describe the financial management of public school food service departments. Population surveyed: District level food service administrators and business officials at 10 California school districts.

California Teen Eating, Exercise and Nutrition Survey, 1998 (CALTEENS)

The California Teen Eating, Exercise and Nutrition Survey (CalTEENS) data tables provide detailed information about California adolescent eating and physical activity behaviors. The CalTEENS covers dietary intake and practices, physical and sedentary activity, factors that influence these behaviors including out-of-home eating, social norms, school environment, weight status, weight loss practices, as well as knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs associated with eating and exercise. The survey has been conducted every two years since 1998. Both data tables and survey instruments are available.