Choosing Healthy Options for Wellness Assessment (CHOW) A Joint Project Developed and Presented by: CG Health Promotion Program, CG-1111 (FS Program Office), & Food Service Assistance and Training Teams

What is the CHOW?  The CHOW is a survey that was developed by DoD to help military communities assess their environment to determine the extent to which people can access healthy food options.  It is adapted from the Michigan Department of Community Health and Michigan Public Health Institute's assessment tool called NEAT (Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool).  It has been adapted further for use by the CG HSWL Health Promotion Managers, the FS Program Office (CG-1111), and Food Service Assist and Training (FSAT) Teams.

Components of the CHOW Assessment  The CHOW is a comprehensive Excel file with 16 tabs that allow you to pick and choose applicable facilities, services, and unit policies to assess. This allows you to complete as much or as little of the CHOW as you feel is appropriate for your unit.  The next 4 slides contain a breakdown and description of each tab in the Excel file.

Components of the CHOW Assessment (cont.)  Introduction An overview of the CHOW assessment  Unit Information Unit registration information  Large and Medium Ashore and Afloat Coast Guard Dining Facilities (CGDF’s) and Contract Dining Facilities Score card for assessing these types of dining facilities  Small Ashore and Afloat CGDF’s and Remote CGDF’s Score card for assessing these types of dining facilities

Components of the CHOW Assessment (cont.)  Other Food Services Score card for assessing other facilities located at the Unit such as cafeterias, CG clubs, and other restaurants (such as Subway stores)  Convenience Stores Score card for assessing CG Exchanges, snack bars, and “grab and go” type stores  Refrigerated Vending Score card for refrigerated vending machines  Non-refrigerated Vending Score card for non-refrigerated vending machines

Components of the CHOW Assessment (cont.)  Unit Policy and Nutrition Environment Score card for local unit policies and health practices  Scoring Summary Overall scores for each category assessed ranging from not supportive to strongly supportive  Action Plan Unit worksheet identifying areas for improvement and listing action items to be implemented  Feedback A worksheet for you to provide comments and feedback about the CHOW assessment to us

Components of the CHOW Assessment (cont.)  Recommendations A worksheet that is sent to your Regional Health Promotion Manager and FSAT so that we may provide to you our recommendations for action  References List of references consulted in the development of the CHOW  Resources – Color Grid A tool that allows you to categorize food choices into groups based on fat, calories, cholesterol, sugar, fiber, and sodium content. It can be displayed anywhere food choices are offered.  Resources – Websites Links to websites that provide information on nutrition, recipes, calorie tracking, portion sizes, and exercise

Why Complete the CHOW?  Provide a unit, ashore or afloat, with an assessment of how well they are doing in promoting healthy eating and providing individuals with the opportunity to make healthy food choices.  Increase awareness of the types of strategies that can be implemented that support and promote healthy eating at the command or unit level.  Assist units in developing a strategic plan for making positive changes and can provide a way to monitor progress as changes are implemented in health promotion policies, instructions, programs and services.

How Does a Unit Complete the CHOW?  The CHOW Assessment utilizes an Excel spreadsheet to access the nutrition environment; the spreadsheet computes the scores automatically.  A unit will receive a rating of Not Supportive (0-49), Partially Supportive (50-74), or Strongly Supportive (75-100).  Once the CHOW is completed it is sent to the regional Health Promotion Manager or the FSAT for feedback and recommendations for action. The Feedback and Action Plan sections can be used by the unit implementation committee.

Who Should Complete the CHOW?  Commands or units that support and maintain positive environments for its personnel to make healthy food choices.  Since the CHOW assesses environmental factors and policies at the unit level that support healthy eating, anyone who is responsible for the health of military and civilian personnel can complete the CHOW Assessment.  All Commands with any of the following: Galley, Vending machines, Convenience stores, CG Exchanges, Restaurants or take-out food service Clubs or other MWR activities.

When Should the CHOW be Completed?  A baseline CHOW should be completed to assess the level of support and availability of healthy food choices.  Once the initial assessment is completed, a strategic plan can be developed to address areas of concern using the results.  After strategies are implemented to improve the promotion and support for healthier food choices, a follow up CHOW Assessment should be completed to assess changes in the CHOW Assessment scores.  The CHOW Assessment should be repeated about once year.

The Next Steps   Form a unit assessment team  Identify key stake-holders  Market the CHOW to stake-holders at the Unit  Contact regional Health Promotion Manager or FSAT

More Information  HSWL Field Office New Orleans Health Promotion Program  HSWL Field Office Alameda Health Promotion Program  Your unit’s respective FSAT  CG