Table of Contents

Component Description

Body measurements were recorded for all examinees by a trained examiner in the mobile examination center (MEC). The measures taken were age dependent, and include the following:

Age Ranges for Body Measurements
 Measurement Age Range 
Weight all ages
Recumbent length 0 through 47 mo.
Standing height 24+ mo.
Upper leg length 24+ mo.
Upper arm length 2+ mo.
Head circumference 0 through 5 mo.
Mid-upper arm circumference 2+ mo.
Waist circumference 24+ mo.
Mid-thigh circumference 24+ mo.
Maximal calf circumference 24+ mo.
Triceps skinfold 2+ mo.
Subscapular skinfold 2+ mo.

In situations when examinees had to leave the MEC early and were unable to complete the Body Measurement Component, at a minimum, weight and standing height or recumbent length were measured.

Eligible Sample

The protocol for this component did not detail any medical, safety, or other exclusions. For examinees who used a wheelchair, the health technicians used their discretion to obtain as many measures as practical. Generally, height and weight were not obtained for examinees who used a wheelchair in the MEC.

This data set includes body measurements for women who were pregnant at the time of the exam. Analysts should determine if it is appropriate to exclude data for pregnant women in a particular analysis. Pregnancy status information is denoted by the MEC Demographic Data File variable, RIAPPREG.

Protocol and Procedure

Data Collection Methods

The data collection methods, examination protocol, and data collection forms are fully documented in the Anthropometry Procedures Manual.

Examination Protocol

See Item 3 above. In addition, for general guidelines on standard procedures that were followed for the anthropometric measures, refer to the Anthropometric Standardization Reference manual (Lohman, 1988). For specific guidelines, the Anthropometric Procedures Video that demonstrates the NHANES III anthropometric procedures in detail is available for all measures except the calf circumference. This video may be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office (https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes3/anthropometricvideos.aspx).

Staff

All body measures were obtained by trained health technicians in the body measures room for each of the Mobile Examination Centers.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The first line of quality control was provided by the automated data collection system. For weight, height, and recumbent length, the data were captured electronically from the measuring instruments to minimize potential data entry errors. Range edits, based on the 1st and 99th percentiles of the NHANES III distribution were also programmed into the automated data collection system, giving an out of range message, prompting the examiner to verify or re-check the measure.

Experienced trainers and observers monitored technician performance in the field. Periodic retraining sessions were conducted with the survey staff. Replicate examinations were performed by body measurement consultant s during visits to the field. Routine calibration of the body measures equipment was a part of the quality control plan for this component. The Anthropometry Procedures Manual details the equipment calibration procedures.

Data Processing and Editing

The data were edited for values that exceeded the capacity of the measuring equipment.

Biologically implausible values were checked by examining age and sex-specific measurements that exceeded the 1st and 99th percentile values of the NHANES III distribution for each measure. Measured body weights were compared with self-or proxy reported body weights. For ages 24-28 months, length and height measures were compared for reasonable agreement. Length and height measures were also checked against proxy reported values. A limited number of observations that could not be reconciled were set to missing.

Analytic Notes

During the data editing process, outlier values were examined. When there was insufficient information to conclude that values were invalid, they were left in the data set.

Analysts should examine the data spread and consider whether or not it is appropriate to include or exclude extreme values in a given analysis.

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 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BMAEXLEN - Length of a MEC exam (sec)

Variable Name:
BMAEXLEN
SAS Label:
Length of a MEC exam (sec)
English Text:
Exam length in seconds
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 909 Range of Values 9282 9282
. Missing 0 9282

BMAEXSTS - Status of a MEC exam

Variable Name:
BMAEXSTS
SAS Label:
Status of a MEC exam
English Text:
Status of a MEC exam
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Complete 9143 9143
2 Partial 80 9223
3 Not Done 59 9282
. Missing 0 9282

BMAEXCMT - Comment code for an exam

Variable Name:
BMAEXCMT
SAS Label:
Comment code for an exam
English Text:
Comment code for an exam
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Safety exclusion 3 3
2 SP refusal 37 40
3 No time 4 44
4 Physical limitation 12 56
5 Communication problem 1 57
6 Equipment failure 28 85
7 SP ill/emergency 15 100
56 Came late/left early 14 114
99 Other, specify 24 138
. Missing 9144 9282

BMXWT - Weight (kg)

Variable Name:
BMXWT
SAS Label:
Weight (kg)
English Text:
Weight (kg)
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 440.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3.1 to 193.3 Range of Values 9197 9197
. Missing 85 9282

BMIWT - Weight Comment

Variable Name:
BMIWT
SAS Label:
Weight Comment
English Text:
Weight Comment
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 27 27
2 Exceeds capacity 0 27
3 Clothing 205 232
4 Medical appliance 16 248
. Missing 9034 9282

BMXRECUM - Recumbent Length (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXRECUM
SAS Label:
Recumbent Length (cm)
English Text:
Recumbent Length (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 0 MONTHS - 47 MONTHS
Hard Edits:
16.0000 to 119.3000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
44.9 to 110.3 Range of Values 1081 1081
. Missing 8201 9282

BMIRECUM - Recumbent Length Comment

Variable Name:
BMIRECUM
SAS Label:
Recumbent Length Comment
English Text:
Recumbent Length Comment
Target:
Both males and females 0 MONTHS - 47 MONTHS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 29 29
2 Exceeds capacity 0 29
3 Not straight 0 29
. Missing 9253 9282

BMXHEAD - Head Circumference (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXHEAD
SAS Label:
Head Circumference (cm)
English Text:
Head Circumference (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 0 MONTHS - 6 MONTHS
Hard Edits:
00.0000 to 99.9999
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
15.5 to 47.9 Range of Values 267 267
. Missing 9015 9282

BMIHEAD - Head Circumference Comment

Variable Name:
BMIHEAD
SAS Label:
Head Circumference Comment
English Text:
Head Circumference Comment
Target:
Both males and females 0 MONTHS - 6 MONTHS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 1 1
2 Exceeds capacity 0 1
3 Not straight 0 1
. Missing 9281 9282

BMXHT - Standing Height (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXHT
SAS Label:
Standing Height (cm)
English Text:
Standing Height (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
79.0000 to 208.4000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
81.8 to 201.3 Range of Values 8464 8464
. Missing 818 9282

BMIHT - Standing Height Comment

Variable Name:
BMIHT
SAS Label:
Standing Height Comment
English Text:
Standing Height Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 55 55
2 Exceeds capacity 0 55
3 Not straight 27 82
. Missing 9200 9282

BMXBMI - Body Mass Index (kg/m**2)

Variable Name:
BMXBMI
SAS Label:
Body Mass Index (kg/m**2)
English Text:
Body Mass Index (kg/m**2)
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
11.49 to 66.44 Range of Values 8462 8462
. Missing 820 9282

BMXLEG - Upper Leg Length (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXLEG
SAS Label:
Upper Leg Length (cm)
English Text:
Upper Leg Length (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
23.6 to 55 Range of Values 7225 7225
. Missing 2057 9282

BMILEG - Upper Leg Length Comment

Variable Name:
BMILEG
SAS Label:
Upper Leg Length Comment
English Text:
Upper Leg Length Comment
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 165 165
. Missing 9117 9282

BMXCALF - Maximal Calf Circumference (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXCALF
SAS Label:
Maximal Calf Circumference (cm)
English Text:
Maximal Calf Circumference (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
18 to 59.6 Range of Values 7306 7306
. Missing 1976 9282

BMICALF - Maximal Calf Comment

Variable Name:
BMICALF
SAS Label:
Maximal Calf Comment
English Text:
Maximal Calf Comment
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 87 87
. Missing 9195 9282

BMXARML - Upper Arm Length (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXARML
SAS Label:
Upper Arm Length (cm)
English Text:
Upper Arm Length (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
9.1 to 46.5 Range of Values 8990 8990
. Missing 292 9282

BMIARML - Upper Arm Length Comment

Variable Name:
BMIARML
SAS Label:
Upper Arm Length Comment
English Text:
Upper Arm Length Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 124 124
. Missing 9158 9282

BMXARMC - Arm Circumference (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXARMC
SAS Label:
Arm Circumference (cm)
English Text:
Arm Circumference (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10.8 to 58.2 Range of Values 8985 8985
. Missing 297 9282

BMIARMC - Arm Circumference Comment

Variable Name:
BMIARMC
SAS Label:
Arm Circumference Comment
English Text:
Arm Circumference Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 124 124
. Missing 9158 9282

BMXWAIST - Waist Circumference (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXWAIST
SAS Label:
Waist Circumference (cm)
English Text:
Waist Circumference (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
38.2 to 173.4 Range of Values 8284 8284
. Missing 998 9282

BMIWAIST - Waist Circumference Comment

Variable Name:
BMIWAIST
SAS Label:
Waist Circumference Comment
English Text:
Waist Circumference Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 209 209
. Missing 9073 9282

BMXTHICR - Thigh Circumference (cm)

Variable Name:
BMXTHICR
SAS Label:
Thigh Circumference (cm)
English Text:
Thigh Circumference (cm)
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 200.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
25.1 to 94.3 Range of Values 7198 7198
. Missing 2084 9282

BMITHICR - Thigh Circumference Comment

Variable Name:
BMITHICR
SAS Label:
Thigh Circumference Comment
English Text:
Thigh Circumference Comment
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 192 192
. Missing 9090 9282

BMXTRI - Triceps Skinfold (mm)

Variable Name:
BMXTRI
SAS Label:
Triceps Skinfold (mm)
English Text:
Triceps Skinfold (mm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 45.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2.4 to 43.6 Range of Values 8568 8568
. Missing 714 9282

BMITRI - Triceps Skinfold Comment

Variable Name:
BMITRI
SAS Label:
Triceps Skinfold Comment
English Text:
Triceps Skinfold Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 227 227
2 Exceeds capacity 299 526
3 Hard to obtain 0 526
. Missing 8756 9282

BMXSUB - Subscapular Skinfold (mm)

Variable Name:
BMXSUB
SAS Label:
Subscapular Skinfold (mm)
English Text:
Subscapular Skinfold (mm)
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0.0000 to 45.0000
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2.2 to 42.2 Range of Values 7950 7950
. Missing 1332 9282

BMISUB - Subscapular Skinfold Comment

Variable Name:
BMISUB
SAS Label:
Subscapular Skinfold Comment
English Text:
Subscapular Skinfold Comment
Target:
Both males and females 2 MONTHS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Could not obtain 894 894
2 Exceeds capacity 250 1144
3 Hard to obtain 0 1144
. Missing 8138 9282

BMAAMP - Amputations?

Variable Name:
BMAAMP
SAS Label:
Amputations?
English Text:
Amputations?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3 3
2 No 9161 9164
. Missing 118 9282

BMAUREXT - Amputations: Upper Right Extremity?

Variable Name:
BMAUREXT
SAS Label:
Amputations: Upper Right Extremity?
English Text:
Amputations: Upper Right Extremity?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 0 0
2 No 3 3
9 Could not obtain 0 3
. Missing 9279 9282

BMAUPREL - Amputations: UR Above or Below Elbow?

Variable Name:
BMAUPREL
SAS Label:
Amputations: UR Above or Below Elbow?
English Text:
Amputations: Upper Right. Above or Below Elbow?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Above elbow 0 0
2 Below elbow 0 0
. Missing 9282 9282

BMAULEXT - Amputations: Upper Left Extremity?

Variable Name:
BMAULEXT
SAS Label:
Amputations: Upper Left Extremity?
English Text:
Amputations: Upper Left Extremity?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 0 0
2 No 3 3
9 Could not obtain 0 3
. Missing 9279 9282

BMAUPLEL - Amputations: UL Above or Below Elbow?

Variable Name:
BMAUPLEL
SAS Label:
Amputations: UL Above or Below Elbow?
English Text:
Amputations: Upper Left. Above or Below Elbow?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Above elbow 0 0
2 Below elbow 0 0
. Missing 9282 9282

BMALOREX - Amputations: Lower Right Extremity?

Variable Name:
BMALOREX
SAS Label:
Amputations: Lower Right Extremity?
English Text:
Amputations: Lower Right Extremity?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3 3
2 No 0 3
9 Could not obtain 0 3
. Missing 9279 9282

BMALORKN - Amputations: LR Above or Below Knee?

Variable Name:
BMALORKN
SAS Label:
Amputations: LR Above or Below Knee?
English Text:
Amputations: Lower Right. Above or Below Knee?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Above knee 0 0
2 Below knee 3 3
. Missing 9279 9282

BMALLEXT - Amputations: Lower Left Extremity?

Variable Name:
BMALLEXT
SAS Label:
Amputations: Lower Left Extremity?
English Text:
Amputations: Lower Left Extremity?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1 1
2 No 2 3
9 Could not obtain 0 3
. Missing 9279 9282

BMALLKNE - Amputations: LL Above or Below Knee?

Variable Name:
BMALLKNE
SAS Label:
Amputations: LL Above or Below Knee?
English Text:
Amputations: Lower Left. Above or Below Knee?
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Above knee 0 0
2 Below knee 1 1
. Missing 9281 9282