DEVELOPMENT OF THE BIOMETRIC PROFILE: A HEALTH DATA FEEDBACK SYSTEM (WELLNESS, PREVENTION, FITNESS)

The purpose of this study was to describe the development and field testing of a health data feedback system. Given the seriousness of the problems associated with chronic diseases, both the human suffering and economic loss, and given the nature of the problem, that many chronic diseases are self-inflicted through lifestyle behaviors and are to some degree preventable, it was decided to develop a health data feedback system that would address these issues.; The development and field test of the system took three years. The Health Report (output) was designed first, followed by a data collection instrument and a computer program. The data base, including tables and formulae, was derived from existing sources: federal agencies, national associations, and published research.; After two years of development, Generation I was field tested with one hundred fifty four people (adults). Six months of revision produced Generation II, which was field tested with ninety three people (adults). In most cases, a health counselor reviewed the Report with the participating individual.; The system has three parts: a data collection instrument, a computer software program and compter output documents (three). The personal Health Report (Generation II) is a twenty nine page document that includes: Coronary Risk, Stress, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Family and Personal Health Histories. It features the Biometric Profile, a one page non-verbal summary of thirty three health and fitness factors displayed as bar graphs. A two page summary of individual data for the health professional's files, and a thirty page summary of group data (where appropriate), are also prepared from the input data.; A health data feedback system has been developed that has internal consistency and content validity. It provides individual health data feedback with recommendations to the individual, and group data feedback with recommendations for groups. There is need for research in related areas, including: motivation techniques; health program compliance; risk reduction based upon behavior changes; and longitudinal studies.