Table of Contents

Component Description

The Weight History section of the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) Interview (variable name prefix WHQMEC) provides personal interview data on topics related to body weight in adolescents 8-15 years of age. These topics include self-perception of weight, reasons for losing weight, and methods used to lose weight.

Eligible Sample

The target sample for the questions in this section is adolescents age 8-15 years. Frequency counts were verified during the preparation of the file.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The questions were asked in the MEC Interview, using an interviewer-administered Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system.

For details on the administration of the Weight History (WHQMEC_D) section, please refer to the NHANES 2005-06 Interview Procedure Manuals and the Weight History (WHQMEC) Questionnaire on the NHANES website.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

For details on the QA/QC process for this component, please refer to the NHANES 2005-06 Interviewer Procedure Manuals on the NHANES website.

Data Processing and Editing

Three additional WHQ510 categories were created from Other (specify) responses: “I want to be skinny/I don’t want to be fat,” “I want to feel good/better about myself,” and “Because I’m fat/overweight.”

Analytic Notes

Responses to WHQ030m, which asks if adolescents consider themselves now to be fat or overweight, too thin, or about the right weight, can be compared with proxy responses to WHQ030e in the Early Childhood (ECQ) questionnaire section.

Exam sample weights should be used for analyses.

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. The Analytic Guidelines are available on the NHANES website.

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 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

WHQ030M - How do you consider your weight

Variable Name:
WHQ030M
SAS Label:
How do you consider your weight
English Text:
Do you consider yourself now to be . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 fat or overweight, 320 320
2 too thin, or 119 439
3 about the right weight? 1271 1710
7 refused 1 1711
9 don't know 4 1715
. Missing 114 1829

WHQ500 - Trying to do about weight

Variable Name:
WHQ500
SAS Label:
Trying to do about weight
English Text:
Which of the following are you trying to do about your weight:
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 lose weight, 626 626
2 gain weight, 187 813 WHQ520
3 stay the same weight, or 442 1255 WHQ520
4 not trying to do anything about your weight? 459 1714 WHQ520
7 Refused 0 1714 WHQ520
9 Don't know 1 1715 WHQ520
. Missing 114 1829

WHQ510A - Want to look better

Variable Name:
WHQ510A
SAS Label:
Want to look better
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 I want to look better 192 192
77 Refused 0 192
99 Don't know 11 203
. Missing 1626 1829

WHQ510B - Want to be healthier

Variable Name:
WHQ510B
SAS Label:
Want to be healthier
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
11 I want to be healthier 223 223
. Missing 1606 1829

WHQ510C - Want to be better at sports

Variable Name:
WHQ510C
SAS Label:
Want to be better at sports
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12 I want to be better at sports and other physical activities 163 163
. Missing 1666 1829

WHQ510D - Get teased about my weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510D
SAS Label:
Get teased about my weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
13 I get teased about my weight 55 55
. Missing 1774 1829

WHQ510E - Think my clothes will fit better

Variable Name:
WHQ510E
SAS Label:
Think my clothes will fit better
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
14 I think my clothes will fit better 66 66
. Missing 1763 1829

WHQ510F - Think boys will like me better

Variable Name:
WHQ510F
SAS Label:
Think boys will like me better
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
15 I think boys will like me better 14 14
. Missing 1815 1829

WHQ510G - Think girls will like me better

Variable Name:
WHQ510G
SAS Label:
Think girls will like me better
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
16 I think girls will like me better 9 9
. Missing 1820 1829

WHQ510H - Friends are trying to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510H
SAS Label:
Friends are trying to lose weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
17 My friends are trying to lose weight 10 10
. Missing 1819 1829

WHQ510I - Someone in family trying to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510I
SAS Label:
Someone in family trying to lose weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
18 Someone in my family is trying to lose weight 11 11
. Missing 1818 1829

WHQ510J - Mother/father wants me to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510J
SAS Label:
Mother/father wants me to lose weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
19 My mother or father wants me to lose weight 23 23
. Missing 1806 1829

WHQ510K - Teacher/coach wants me to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510K
SAS Label:
Teacher/coach wants me to lose weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
20 My teacher or coach wants me to lose weight 7 7
. Missing 1822 1829

WHQ510L - Health professional wants me lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ510L
SAS Label:
Health professional wants me lose weight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
21 A doctor, nurse, or other health professional wants me to lose weight 21 21
. Missing 1808 1829

WHQ510M - Want to be skinny/don't want to be fat

Variable Name:
WHQ510M
SAS Label:
Want to be skinny/don't want to be fat
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
22 I want to be skinny/I don't want to be fat 16 16
. Missing 1813 1829

WHQ510N - Want to feel good/better about self

Variable Name:
WHQ510N
SAS Label:
Want to feel good/better about self
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
24 I want to feel good/better about myself 8 8
. Missing 1821 1829

WHQ510O - Because I'm fat/overweight

Variable Name:
WHQ510O
SAS Label:
Because I'm fat/overweight
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
25 Because I'm fat/overweight 22 22
. Missing 1807 1829

WHQ510U - Other reason

Variable Name:
WHQ510U
SAS Label:
Other reason
English Text:
Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:
(Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
30 Other reason 18 18
. Missing 1811 1829

WHQ520 - How often tried to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ520
SAS Label:
How often tried to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you tried to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 859 859
2 sometimes, or 680 1539
3 a lot? 174 1713
7 Refused 0 1713
9 Don't know 1 1714
. Missing 115 1829

WHQ530 - Been on a diet to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ530
SAS Label:
Been on a diet to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you been on a diet to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 461 461
2 sometimes, or 353 814
3 a lot? 39 853
7 Refused 0 853
9 Don't know 2 855
. Missing 974 1829

WHQ540 - Starved to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ540
SAS Label:
Starved to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you starved (not eaten) for a day or more to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 669 669
2 sometimes, or 169 838
3 a lot? 14 852
7 Refused 0 852
9 Don't know 2 854
. Missing 975 1829

WHQ550 - Cut back on eating to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ550
SAS Label:
Cut back on eating to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you cut back on what you ate to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 232 232
2 sometimes, or 523 755
3 a lot? 92 847
7 Refused 0 847
9 Don't know 7 854
. Missing 975 1829

WHQ560 - Skipped meals to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ560
SAS Label:
Skipped meals to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you skipped meals to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 507 507
2 sometimes, or 293 800
3 a lot? 51 851
7 Refused 0 851
9 Don't know 3 854
. Missing 975 1829

WHQ570 - Exercised to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHQ570
SAS Label:
Exercised to lose weight
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you exercised to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 59 59
2 sometimes, or 443 502
3 a lot? 352 854
7 Refused 0 854
9 Don't know 0 854
. Missing 975 1829

WHQ580 - Eaten less sweets or fatty foods

Variable Name:
WHQ580
SAS Label:
Eaten less sweets or fatty foods
English Text:
In the past year, how often have you eaten less sweets or fatty foods to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 never, 146 146
2 sometimes, or 562 708
3 a lot? 145 853
7 Refused 0 853
9 Don't know 1 854
. Missing 975 1829