Provides definitions for each modeled output displayed in the CHOICES National Action Kit.
| Modeled Output | Definition |
| Behavior Change per Person* Change in health behavior per person in the first year |
The change in health behavior a person is projected to have after a strategy is put in place. Health behavior changes may include decreases in sugary drink intake, increases in physical activity, decreases in time spent watching TV, or increases in water intake. Behavior change per person is reported when the strategy aims to improve a specific health behavior and data are available to project how much a behavior would improve. Averaged across people who actually receive the strategy. |
| Cost per Person Average annualized cost per person to implement the strategy over the model period |
The average annualized cost to implement the strategy over the model period (e.g., 10 years) per person reached over the model period. This includes cost by all payers (government, private sector, non-profit, individual/family). See the “Cost Results” for a breakdown of implementation costs by activity and payer. Averaged across people in the intended population of focus where the strategy is adopted (that is, people who are eligible based on age, income, geographic area, and/or participation in the setting or program of focus, and who could potentially receive the strategy based on estimated adoption rates). |
| Population Reach* Reach over the model period |
The number of people reached by the strategy over the model period. Includes all people in the intended population of focus where the strategy is adopted (that is, people who are eligible based on age, income, geographic area, and/or participation in the setting or program of focus, and who could potentially receive the strategy based on estimated adoption rates). |
| Obesity Prevented* Cases of obesity prevented in the final year |
In the final year of the model, the difference in the projected number of people with obesity if the strategy were not put in place and the projected number of people with obesity if the strategy were put in place. |
| Child Obesity Prevented* Cases of child obesity prevented in the final year |
In the final year of the model, the difference in the projected number of children with obesity if the strategy were not put in place and the projected number of children with obesity if the strategy were put in place. |
| Health Equity Impact* Impact on obesity-related health equity in the final year |
The projected impact on differences in obesity levels between population groups defined by race and ethnicity and by household income. Learn more about our methods for projecting health equity impacts. |
| Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) Gained Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained (totals over the model period) |
The difference in total number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in the population over the model period if the strategy were not put in place compared with if the strategy were put in place. A QALY is a measure of both the quantity and quality of life. CHOICES estimates the QALYs gained as a measure of how much implementing a strategy to prevent future excess weight gain could improve the quantity and quality of life for a population. See our User Guide for more information about QALYs. |
| Obesity Years Prevented Years with obesity prevented (totals over the model period) |
The difference in total number of person-years lived without obesity if the strategy were not put in place compared with if the strategy were put in place. This measure sums up portions of years lived without obesity across all the persons in the model, comparing the result if the strategy were put in place or not. |
| Health Care Costs Saved Per $1 Invested Total health care costs saved per total implementation costs over the model period |
The amount avoided in health care cost related to excess weight for every dollar spent to implement the strategy over the model period. See the “Cost Results” for a breakdown of implementation costs by activity and payer. |
| Cost per QALY Gained Net cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained (totals over the model period) |
The total cost impact to improve population health in terms of quality-adjusted life years gained. Cost per QALY gained is a measure of cost-effectiveness. It includes costs to implement a strategy, cost savings due to efficiencies when implementing a strategy, and health care cost savings related to reductions in excess weight after a strategy is implemented. See our User Guide for more information about QALYs and cost per QALY gained. |
All metrics reported for the population over the model period and discounted at 3% per year, unless otherwise noted. Definitions for these modeled outputs are all written assuming that an intervention is implemented.
* Not discounted.