Table of Contents

Component Description

The PAQ section includes an extensive array of questions related to daily activities, leisure time activities, and sedentary activities at home. Some of the PAQ questions administered during NHANES 2001–2001 were used in previous NHANES questionnaires or were asked in other federal surveys.

Eligible Sample

All survey participants 2 or more years of age were eligible. Proxy respondents answered the questions for 2–11 year olds. The questions asked varied by age group. The target group in the codebook indicates which age groups were asked which questions.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

For respondents 2–11 and 16 or more years of age, the questions were asked in the household interview. For respondents 12–15 years of age, the questions were asked as part of the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) interview.

Data Processing and Editing

The data was split into two files. The first is described here and includes general information about daily activities, leisure time activities, and sedentary activities. The second (PAQIAF_C) includes more detailed information about specific leisure time activities for respondents 12 or more years of age. Sequence number is provided on both files for linking.

Respondents who answered yes to vigorous activities (PAQ200), but did not give at least one vigorous activity or reported a duration of less than 10 minutes, were recoded to no. The same was done for moderate activities (PAQ340).

The number of times in the past 30 days that the respondent did moderately active tasks around the house or yard (PAD120) and muscle strengthening activities (PAD460) were originally reported as number of times per day, per week, or per month and converted to number of times over the past 30 days. The average duration of the tasks around the house or yard (PAD160) was originally reported in hours or minutes and converted to minutes. There were a few instances in which the duration per day of tasks around the home or yard was 12 hours or more for the 30-day period. In these instances, PAD120 and PAD160 were set to missing. Users should carefully inspect the data for other values they may consider too high.

Analytic Notes

Because the PAQ questions for respondents 2–11 and 16 or more years of age were asked in the home interview, the interview sample weights may be used in their analysis. However, if the data is joined with data from the MEC, the MEC sample weights should be used. Analysis of the PAQ questions for 12–15 year olds should use the MEC sample weights as the questions were asked in the MEC.

Suggested metabolic equivalent (MET) scores for the activities listed in this file are included in Appendix 1. They were obtained from the reference below and personal communication with the author.
Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/analyticguidelines.aspx

The PAQ data are publicly available at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS

PAD020 - Walked or bicycled over past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD020
SAS Label:
Walked or bicycled over past 30 days
English Text:
The next series of questions are about physical activities that {you/SP} {have/has} done over the past 30 days. First I will ask about activities that are related to transportation. Then I'll ask about physical activities that {you/he/she} do at school or in {your/his/her} leisure time. Over the past 30 days, {have/has} {you/SP} walked or bicycled as part of getting to and from work, or school, or to do errands?
English Instructions:
CODE 'UNABLE TO DO' ONLY IF RESPONDENT VOLUNTEERS.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2318 2318
2 No 4716 7034 PAQ100
3 Unable to do activity 207 7241 PAQ100
7 Refused 1 7242 PAQ100
9 Don't know 0 7242 PAQ100
. Missing 2036 9278

PAQ050Q - # times walked or bicycled

Variable Name:
PAQ050Q
SAS Label:
# times walked or bicycled
English Text:
[Over the past 30 days], how often did {you/SP} do this? [Walk or bicycle as part of getting to and from work, or school, or to do errands.] PROBE: How many times per day, per week, or per month did {you/s/he} do these activities?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF TIMES (PER DAY, WEEK OR MONTH).
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 124 Range of Values 2318 2318
77777 Refused 0 2318
99999 Don't know 0 2318
. Missing 6960 9278

PAQ050U - Unit of measure (day/week/month)

Variable Name:
PAQ050U
SAS Label:
Unit of measure (day/week/month)
English Text:
UNIT OF MEASURE.
English Instructions:
ENTER UNIT.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Day 627 627
2 Week 1018 1645
3 Month 673 2318
7 Refused 0 2318
9 Don't Know 0 2318
. Missing 6960 9278

PAD080 - How long per day (minutes)

Variable Name:
PAD080
SAS Label:
How long per day (minutes)
English Text:
On those days when {you/SP} walked or bicycled, about how long did {you/s/he} spend altogether doing this (minutes)?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES).
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 600 Range of Values 2310 2310
77777 Refused 0 2310
99999 Don't know 0 2310
. Missing 6968 9278

PAQ100 - Tasks around home/yard past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAQ100
SAS Label:
Tasks around home/yard past 30 days
English Text:
Over the past 30 days, did {you/SP} do any tasks in or around {your/his/her} home or yard for at least 10 minutes that required moderate or greater physical effort? By moderate physical effort I mean, tasks that caused light sweating or a slight to moder ate increase in {your/his/her} heart rate or breathing. [Such as raking leaves, mowing the lawn or heavy cleaning.]
English Instructions:
CODE 'UNABLE TO DO' ONLY IF RESPONDENT VOLUNTEERS
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3455 3455
2 No 2561 6016 PAQ180
3 Unable to do activity 194 6210 PAQ180
7 Refused 1 6211 PAQ180
9 Don't know 2 6213 PAQ180
. Missing 3065 9278

PAD120 - # of times past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD120
SAS Label:
# of times past 30 days
English Text:
[Over the past 30 days], how often did {you/SP} do these tasks in or around {your/his/her} home or yard, that is tasks requiring at least moderate effort? [Such as raking leaves, mowing the lawn or heavy cleaning.] PROBE: How many times per day, per week, or per month did {you/s/he} do these activities?
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER (OF TIMES past 30 days).
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 300 Range of Values 3447 3447
77777 Refused 0 3447
99999 Don't know 3 3450
. Missing 5828 9278

PAD160 - How long each time (minutes)

Variable Name:
PAD160
SAS Label:
How long each time (minutes)
English Text:
About how long did {you/SP} do these tasks each time (minutes)?
English Instructions:
IF MORE THAN 1 TASK, ASK FOR TASK DONE MOST OFTEN. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES).
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 600 Range of Values 3443 3443
77777 Refused 0 3443
99999 Don't know 0 3443
. Missing 5835 9278

PAQ180 - Avg level of physical activity each day

Variable Name:
PAQ180
SAS Label:
Avg level of physical activity each day
English Text:
Please tell me which of these four sentences best describes {your/SP's} usual daily activities? [Daily activities may include {your/his/her} work, housework if {you are/s/he is} a homemaker, going to and attending classes if {you are/s/he is} a student, and what {you/s/he} normally {do/does} throughout a typical day if {you are/he/she is} a retiree or unemployed.] . . .
English Instructions:
HAND CARD PAQ1
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 {you sit/he/she sits} during the day and {do/does} not walk about very much. 1554 1554
2 {you stand or walk/he/she stands or walks} about a lot during the day, but {do/does}not have to carry or lift things very often 3188 4742
3 {you/he/she} lift(s) light load or {have/has} to climb stairs or hills often. 1030 5772
4 {you/he/she} {do/does} heavy work or {carry/carries} heavy loads. 436 6208
7 Refused 1 6209
9 Don't know 4 6213
. Missing 3065 9278

PAD200 - Vigorous activity over past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD200
SAS Label:
Vigorous activity over past 30 days
English Text:
The next questions are about physical activities including exercise, sports, and physically active hobbies that {you/SP} may have done in {your/his/her} leisure time or at school over the past 30 days. First I will ask you about vigorous activities that cause heavy sweating or large increases in breathing or heart rate. Then I will ask you about moderate activities that cause only light sweating or a slight to moderate increase in breathing or heart rate. Over the past 30 days, did {you/SP} do any vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes that caused heavy sweating, or large increases in breathing or heart rate? Some examples are running, lap swimming, aerobics classes or fast bicycling.
English Instructions:
CODE 'UNABLE TO DO' ONLY IF RESPONDENT VOLUNTEERS.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2759 2759
2 No 4158 6917
3 Unable to do activity 324 7241
7 Refused 1 7242
9 Don't know 0 7242
. Missing 2036 9278

PAD320 - Moderate activity over past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD320
SAS Label:
Moderate activity over past 30 days
English Text:
[Over the past 30 days], did {you/SP} do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes that cause only light sweating or a slight to moderate increase in breathing or heart rate? Some examples are brisk walking, bicycling for pleasure, golf, and dancing .
English Instructions:
CODE 'UNABLE TO DO' ONLY IF RESPONDENT VOLUNTEERS.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 4035 4035
2 No 2967 7002
3 Unable to do activity 236 7238
7 Refused 1 7239
9 Don't know 1 7240
. Missing 2038 9278

PAD440 - Muscle strengthening activities

Variable Name:
PAD440
SAS Label:
Muscle strengthening activities
English Text:
Over the past 30 days, did {you/SP} do any physical activities specifically designed to strengthen {your/his/her} muscles such as lifting weights, push-ups or sit-ups? Include all such activities even if you have mentioned them before.
English Instructions:
CODE 'UNABLE TO DO' ONLY IF RESPONDENT VOLUNTEERS.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2569 2569
2 No 4458 7027 PAQ500
3 Unable to do activity 211 7238 PAQ500
7 Refused 1 7239 PAQ500
9 Don't know 0 7239 PAQ500
. Missing 2039 9278

PAD460 - Number of times past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD460
SAS Label:
Number of times past 30 days
English Text:
[Over the past 30 days], how often did {you/SP} do these physical activities? [Activities designed to strengthen {your/his/her} muscles such as lifting weights, push-ups or sit-ups.]
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF TIMES (30 days).
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 300 Range of Values 2567 2567
777 Refused 0 2567
999 Don't know 2 2569
. Missing 6709 9278

PAQ500 - Activity comparison last mo - last yr

Variable Name:
PAQ500
SAS Label:
Activity comparison last mo - last yr
English Text:
How does the amount of activity that you reported {for SP} for the past 30 days compare with {your/his/her} physical activity for the past 12 months? Over the past 30 days, {were you/was he/she} . . .
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 more active 1499 1499
2 less active, or 1569 3068
3 About the same? 4164 7232
7 Refused 1 7233
9 Don't know 5 7238
. Missing 2040 9278

PAQ520 - Compare activity w/others same age

Variable Name:
PAQ520
SAS Label:
Compare activity w/others same age
English Text:
(MEC Interview Version) Compared with most {boys/girls} {your/SP's} age, would you say that {you are/SP is}... (SP Interview Version) Compared with most {men/boys/women/girls} {your/SP's} age, would you say that {you are/s/he is} . . .
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 more active 2532 2532
2 less active, or 1351 3883
3 About the same? 3279 7162
7 Refused 2 7164
9 Don't Know 74 7238
. Missing 2040 9278

PAQ540 - Compare activity with 10 years ago

Variable Name:
PAQ540
SAS Label:
Compare activity with 10 years ago
English Text:
Compared with {yourself/himself/herself} 10 years ago, would you say that {you are/SP is} . . .
Target:
Both males and females 30 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 More active now, 485 485
2 Less active now, or 2675 3160
3 About the same? 966 4126
7 Refused 1 4127
9 Don't know 3 4130
. Missing 5148 9278

PAQ560 - # time/week you play or exercise hard

Variable Name:
PAQ560
SAS Label:
# time/week you play or exercise hard
English Text:
Now I'd like to ask you some questions about {SP's} activities. How many times per week {does SP} play or exercise enough to make {him/her} sweat and breathe hard?
English Instructions:
IF NEVER, ENTER 0. IF LESS THAN ONCE PER WEEK, ENTER 1. ENTER NUMBER OF TIMES.
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 11 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 77 Range of Values 1953 1953
77777 Refused 0 1953
99999 Don't know 6 1959
. Missing 7319 9278

PAD590 - # hours watch TV or videos past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD590
SAS Label:
# hours watch TV or videos past 30 days
English Text:
Over the past 30 days, on average about how many hours per day did {you/SP} sit and watch TV or videos? Would you say...
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Less than 1 hour, 1122 1122
1 1 hour, 1528 2650
2 2 hours, 2478 5128
3 3 hours, 1593 6721
4 4 hours, or 901 7622
5 5 hours or more? 1441 9063
6 None 131 9194
77 Refused 1 9195
99 Don't know 2 9197
. Missing 81 9278

PAD600 - # of hours use computer past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD600
SAS Label:
# of hours use computer past 30 days
English Text:
Over the past 30 days, on average about how many hours per day did {you/SP} use a computer or play computer games? Would you say...
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Less than 1 hour 2481 2481
1 1 hour 1339 3820
2 2 hours 728 4548
3 3 hours 337 4885
4 4 hours 146 5031
5 5 hours 225 5256
6 None 3936 9192
77 Refused 1 9193
99 Don't know 4 9197
. Missing 81 9278

PAAQUEX - Questionnaire source flag for weighting

Variable Name:
PAAQUEX
SAS Label:
Questionnaire source flag for weighting
English Text:
Questionnaire source flag for weighting
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Sample Person Interview Questionnaire Targets (B(2-11) and (B(16-150) 8173 8173
2 MEC CAPI Questionnaire Targets (B(12-15) 1105 9278
. Missing 0 9278

Appendix 1. Suggested MET Scores

Suggested MET Scores
Item Name Description Suggested MET Score
PAD020 Walked or bicycled over past 30 days to get to/from work, etc. 4.0
PAQ100 Tasks in or around home or yard past 30 days. 4.5
PAQ180 Average level of physical activity each day (1 - Mainly sit) 1.4
PAQ180 Average level of physical activity each day (2 - Walk a lot) 1.5
PAQ180 Average level of physical activity each day (3 - Carry light loads) 1.6
PAQ180 Average level of physical activity each day (4 - Carry heavy loads) 1.8
PAD440 Muscle strengthening activities 4.0
PAQ560 Number of times per week play or exercise hard 7.0
PAD590 Average number of hours watch TV or videos over past 30 days 1.0
PAD600 Average number of hours used computer over past 30 days 1.5