The Food Security section provides data relating to lack of adequate food and receipt of food assistance. It includes:
A chart summarizing the FSQ components and individual items is appended to this documentation.
I. Household food security
In the Household interview, an adult responds to the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) questions; 18 items for households with children under 18y; 10 items for households without children1. Questions refer to all household members, not just NHANES participants. Data are released on each household participant’s record.
II. Individual Food Security
Adults (>15y) and children (< 12y) in households responding positively to any FSSM item during the household interview, are asked individual-level food security questions after the 24 hour dietary recall in the MEC. The questions are based upon a subset of the HH-level questions. An adult or older sibling responds for a child. Data are released only on the individual participant’s record.
III. Food program participation
1. Food stamp authorization: Household and individual-level food stamp data are collected for all household members during the household interview. One adult usually responds for the household. Individual-level data are released only on the individual participant’s record. The household-level food stamp variable provides the number of all people in the household who were authorized for food stamps, not just NHANES participants. It is released on all household participants’ records.
2. WIC: Household and Individual-level data are collected during the household and reproductive health interviews and released on all household members’ and each individual participant’s records, respectively.
Incoming FSQ data are reviewed by the project officer. NHANES staff review taped interviews, travel to field sites to observe interviews, read interviewer comments, and attend training and re-training sessions to maintain the high quality of NHANES interviews. Data are reviewed for outliers, out of range responses, missing responses, and non-response.
I. Food Security (Household Level):
1. High income households:
Households with incomes over 4 times the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guideline2 were not administered the FSSM. Participants in these households were assigned a response code of “6 (question not administered.)”.
2. Missing data
Child food security questions were skipped in 14 households with children. For 11 households, responses to all HH level questions were negative; they were categorized as household and adult fully food secure. No child food security category was assigned. For the other 3 households, only the adult food security variable was released.
II. The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Length of WIC benefits was edited from years to months when the length was the child’s approximate age in months.
III. The Food Stamp program
A variable “number of people in household receiving food stamps” (FSD170N) was created from the individual-level data in FSD170.
The 2003-2004 FSQ data release is more extensive than the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 FSQ releases. It includes responses to each of the 18 individual FSSM items; the adult, household, and child category scores; household and individual food stamp data; household and individual WIC data; and person-level dietary recall data for adults (16+ years) and children (< 11 years). The label names help distinguish between the similar variables.
Response codes of “6 Screened out” indicate households that were not administered the FSSM because of high income. Analyses of Current Population Survey (CPS) data indicate that higher-income households are very unlikely to report food insecurity resulting from insufficient money 3-7.
A computer programming error resulted in missing responses to questions about length of receipt (FSD190) and current receipt (FSD200) of food stamps for some household members.
The NHANES 2003-4 prevalence of individuals reporting authorization to receive food stamps is lower than the prevalence indicated by USDA administrative data. Misinterpretation of the word “authorized” in the food stamp questions may have contributed to this discrepancy. Thus, variable FSD170N (number of people in the household authorized to receive food stamps) may be more reliable than variable FSD180 (individual was authorized to receive food stamps in the last 12 months) to identify NHANES participants who live in households that were authorized to receive food stamps in the last 12 months.
The NHANES Analytic Guidelines are found at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/analyticguidelines.aspx 8.
Information on collecting and analyzing US FSSM data are found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsec/FILES/FSGuide.pdf 1.
A recent assessment of food security measurement was conducted by the National Research Council 9.
Dataset and Variable Label Structure
Variable labels help distinguish between similar variables, as described below.
FSQ_FSSM: Household-referent data:
Three categorical variables, each with four response levels, were created. Categorical variables are released on all household members’ records.
FSQ_FSSM: Individual-referent data
Seven questions were asked of participants over 15y; six of participants under 12y, none of participants 12-15y.
Released only on individual participant’s record.
Food Stamp Program data
One household-level and three individual-level questions. HH data released on all HH members’ records; individual data only on the individual participant’s record.
WIC participation
One household- and three individual-level questions each for pregnant or breast-feeding women and for young children. The child and mother questions are nearly identical. Variable names contain “child” or “mom,” and labels end with a C or M to help distinguish between them.
Tabular display of all FSQ variables
There are many similar FSQ variables, which differ only by location of administration, time frame, and/or reference person. A multi-colored chart at the end of this document displays the entirety of the FSQ variables.
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 752 | 752 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 1669 | 2421 | |
3 | Never true | 4855 | 7276 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 9651 | |
7 | Refused | 25 | 9676 | |
9 | Don't know | 18 | 9694 | |
. | Missing | 428 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 545 | 545 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 1513 | 2058 | |
3 | Never true | 5229 | 7287 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 9662 | |
7 | Refused | 24 | 9686 | |
9 | Don't know | 8 | 9694 | |
. | Missing | 428 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 397 | 397 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 1183 | 1580 | |
3 | Never true | 5693 | 7273 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 9648 | |
7 | Refused | 24 | 9672 | |
9 | Don't know | 22 | 9694 | |
. | Missing | 428 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 385 | 385 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 1094 | 1479 | |
3 | Never true | 3603 | 5082 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 6420 | |
7 | Refused | 23 | 6443 | |
9 | Don't know | 4 | 6447 | |
. | Missing | 3675 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 257 | 257 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 781 | 1038 | |
3 | Never true | 4044 | 5082 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 6420 | |
7 | Refused | 23 | 6443 | |
9 | Don't know | 4 | 6447 | |
. | Missing | 3675 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Often true | 112 | 112 | |
2 | Sometimes true | 453 | 565 | |
3 | Never true | 1681 | 2246 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 3584 | |
7 | Refused | 5 | 3589 | |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 3591 | |
. | Missing | 6531 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 939 | 939 | |
2 | No | 1794 | 2733 | FSD061 |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 5108 | |
7 | Refused | 5 | 5113 | FSD061 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 5113 | FSD061 |
. | Missing | 5009 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Almost every month, | 301 | 301 | |
2 | Some months but not every month, or | 441 | 742 | |
3 | Only 1 or 2 months? | 196 | 938 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 3313 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 3313 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 3314 | |
. | Missing | 6808 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 951 | 951 | |
2 | No | 1782 | 2733 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 5108 | |
7 | Refused | 5 | 5113 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 5113 | |
. | Missing | 5009 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 496 | 496 | |
2 | No | 2235 | 2731 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 5106 | |
7 | Refused | 5 | 5111 | |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 5113 | |
. | Missing | 5009 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 224 | 224 | |
2 | No | 2497 | 2721 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 5096 | |
7 | Refused | 5 | 5101 | |
9 | Don't know | 12 | 5113 | |
. | Missing | 5009 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 209 | 209 | |
2 | No | 1123 | 1332 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 3707 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 3707 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 3707 | |
. | Missing | 6415 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Almost every month, | 71 | 71 | |
2 | Some months but not every month, or | 75 | 146 | |
3 | Only 1 or 2 months? | 63 | 209 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 2584 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2584 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 2584 | |
. | Missing | 7538 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 186 | 186 | |
2 | No | 934 | 1120 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 2458 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2458 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 2458 | |
. | Missing | 7664 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 77 | 77 | |
2 | No | 1041 | 1118 | FSD141 |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 2456 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2456 | FSD141 |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 2458 | FSD141 |
. | Missing | 7664 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Almost every month, | 17 | 17 | |
2 | Some months but not every month, or | 39 | 56 | |
3 | Only 1 or 2 months? | 21 | 77 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 1415 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 1415 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 1415 | |
. | Missing | 8707 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 128 | 128 | |
2 | No | 987 | 1115 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 2453 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2453 | |
9 | Don't know | 5 | 2458 | |
. | Missing | 7664 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 8 | 8 | |
2 | No | 1112 | 1120 | |
6 | Screened out | 1338 | 2458 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2458 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 2458 | |
. | Missing | 7664 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HH full food security: 0 | 6922 | 6922 | |
2 | HH marginal food security: 1-2 | 868 | 7790 | |
3 | HH low food security: 3-5 / 3-7 (HH with child) | 1232 | 9022 | |
4 | HH very low food security: 6-10 / 8-18 (HH with child) | 641 | 9663 | |
. | Missing | 459 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AD full food security: 0 | 6986 | 6986 | |
2 | AD marginal food security: 1-2 | 1037 | 8023 | |
3 | AD low food security: 3-5 | 1002 | 9025 | |
4 | AD very low food security: 6-10 | 638 | 9663 | |
. | Missing | 459 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CH food quality & quantity unaffected: 0 | 4870 | 4870 | |
2 | CH reduced food quality or quantity: 1 | 510 | 5380 | |
3 | CH reduced food quality and quantity: 2-4 | 952 | 6332 | |
4 | CH severely reduced food quality and quantity: 5-8 | 88 | 6420 | |
. | Missing | 3702 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 804 | 804 | |
2 | No | 6483 | 7287 | |
6 | Screened out | 2375 | 9662 | |
7 | Refused | 21 | 9683 | |
9 | Don't know | 8 | 9691 | |
. | Missing | 431 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 218 | 218 | |
2 | No | 978 | 1196 | FSQ420 |
7 | Refused | 1 | 1197 | FSQ420 |
9 | Don't know | 9 | 1206 | FSQ420 |
. | Missing | 8916 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 30 | Range of Values | 213 | 213 | |
77 | Refused | 5 | 218 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 218 | |
. | Missing | 9904 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 207 | 207 | |
2 | No | 989 | 1196 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 1197 | |
9 | Don't know | 9 | 1206 | |
. | Missing | 8916 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 112 | 112 | |
2 | No | 1085 | 1197 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 1198 | |
9 | Don't know | 8 | 1206 | |
. | Missing | 8916 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 62 | 62 | |
2 | No | 1119 | 1181 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 1182 | |
9 | Don't know | 24 | 1206 | |
. | Missing | 8916 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 39 | 39 | |
2 | No | 235 | 274 | FSQ470 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 274 | FSQ470 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 274 | FSQ470 |
. | Missing | 9848 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 10 | Range of Values | 36 | 36 | |
77 | Refused | 3 | 39 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 39 | |
. | Missing | 10083 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 79 | 79 | |
2 | No | 835 | 914 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 914 | |
9 | Don't know | 5 | 919 | |
. | Missing | 9203 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 61 | 61 | |
2 | No | 855 | 916 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 916 | |
9 | Don't know | 3 | 919 | |
. | Missing | 9203 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 25 | 25 | |
2 | No | 890 | 915 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 916 | |
9 | Don't know | 3 | 919 | |
. | Missing | 9203 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 24 | 24 | |
2 | No | 892 | 916 | FSQ520 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 916 | FSQ520 |
9 | Don't know | 3 | 919 | FSQ520 |
. | Missing | 9203 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 10 | Range of Values | 24 | 24 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 24 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 24 | |
. | Missing | 10098 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 3 | 3 | |
2 | No | 98 | 101 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 101 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 101 | |
. | Missing | 10021 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1989 | 1989 | |
2 | No | 7924 | 9913 | |
7 | Refused | 34 | 9947 | FSQ162 |
9 | Don't know | 32 | 9979 | FSQ162 |
. | Missing | 143 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 to 6 | Range of Values | 9824 | 9824 | |
7 | 7 or more | 88 | 9912 | |
. | Missing | 210 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1053 | 1053 | |
2 | No | 8856 | 9909 | FSQ162 |
7 | Refused | 2 | 9911 | FSQ162 |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 9912 | FSQ162 |
. | Missing | 210 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 to 12 | Range of Values | 915 | 915 | |
1 | 1 month or less | 39 | 954 | |
77 | Refused | 2 | 956 | |
99 | Don't know | 4 | 960 | |
. | Missing | 9162 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 852 | 852 | |
2 | No | 99 | 951 | |
7 | Refused | 2 | 953 | |
9 | Don't know | 7 | 960 | |
. | Missing | 9162 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1860 | 1860 | |
2 | No | 6099 | 7959 | |
7 | Refused | 20 | 7979 | |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 7981 | |
. | Missing | 2141 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 892 | 892 | |
2 | No | 850 | 1742 | End of Section |
7 | Refused | 0 | 1742 | End of Section |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 1743 | End of Section |
. | Missing | 8379 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 722 | 722 | |
2 | No | 125 | 847 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 847 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 848 | |
. | Missing | 9274 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 57 | Range of Values | 846 | 846 | |
. | Missing | 9276 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 132 | 132 | |
2 | No | 100 | 232 | End of Section |
7 | Refused | 0 | 232 | End of Section |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 233 | End of Section |
. | Missing | 9889 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 114 | 114 | |
2 | No | 18 | 132 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 132 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 132 | |
. | Missing | 9990 | 10122 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 108 | Range of Values | 132 | 132 | |
. | Missing | 9990 | 10122 |
Component | Data Collection Details | Recommended Weights | Var Name | Target: Gender Age | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Household Food Security (FSSM) | Food Security (FSQ) Family Interview Household level |
Interview | FSD032A | MF (0-150) | HH Worried run out of food |
FSD032B | MF (0-150) | HH Food didn't last | |||
FSD032C | MF (0-150) | HH Couldn't afford balanced meals | |||
FSD032D | MF (0-150) | HH Relied on low-cost food for child | |||
FSD032E | MF (0-150) | HH Couldn't feed child balanced meal | |||
FSD032F | MF (0-150) | HH Child not eating enough | |||
FSD041 | MF (0-150) | HH Adults cut size or skip meals | |||
FSD052 | MF (0-150) | HH How often adults cut size/skip meals | |||
FSD061 | MF (0-150) | HH Eat less than should | |||
FSD071 | MF (0-150) | HH Hungry, but didn't eat | |||
FSD081 | MF (0-150) | HH Lost weight, no money for food | |||
FSD092 | MF (0-150) | HH Adults not eat whole day | |||
FSD102 | MF (0-150) | HH How often adults not eat for day | |||
FSD111 | MF (0-150) | HH Cut size of child meals | |||
FSD122 | MF (0-150) | HH Child skip meals | |||
FSD132 | MF (0-150) | HH How often child skip meals | |||
FSD141 | MF (0-150) | HH Child hungry in last 12 months | |||
FSD146 | MF (0-150) | HH Child not eat whole day | |||
FSDHH | MF (0-150) | Household food security category | |||
FSDAD | MF (0-150) | Adult food security category | |||
FSDCH | MF (0-150) | Child food security category | |||
FSD151 | MF (0-150) | HH Emergency food received | |||
Individual Food Security | Dietary Recall (DRX) Mobile Exam Center (MEC) Individual level |
MEC | FSQ400 | MF (16-150) | Adult - cut size or skipped meals |
FSQ410 | MF (16-150) | Adult - days cut size or skipped meals | |||
FSQ420 | MF (16-150) | Adult - ate less than should | |||
FSQ430 | MF (16-150) | Adult - hungry, didn't eat | |||
FSQ440 | MF (16-150) | Adult - lost weight | |||
FSQ450 | MF (16-150) | Adult - not eat whole day | |||
FSQ460 | MF (16-150) | Adult - days without eating | |||
FSQ470 | MF (0-11) | Child - ate less than should | |||
FSQ480 | MF (0-11) | Child - cut size of meals | |||
FSQ490 | MF (0-11) | Child - hungry in last 30 days | |||
FSQ500 | MF (0-11) | Child - skipped meal | |||
FSQ510 | MF (0-11) | Child - days skipped meal | |||
FSQ520 | MF (0-11) | Child - not eat whole day | |||
Household and individual Food Stamps | Food Security (FSQ) Family Interview Household level |
Interview | FSQ170 | MF (0-150) | HH Authorized for fd stmps last 12 mos |
FSD170N | MF (0-150) | No. people in HH authorized for fd stmps | |||
Food Security (FSQ) Family Interview Individual level |
Interview | FSD180 | MF (0-150) | Authorized for fd stmps in last 12 mos | |
FSD190 | MF (0-150) | No. mos authorized in last 12 mos | |||
FSD200 | MF (0-150) | Currently authorized for fd stmps | |||
Household and individual WIC | Food Security (FSQ) Family Interview Household level |
Interview | FSQ162 | MF (0-150) | Household - WIC in past 12 months |
Diet Behavior (DBQ) Household Interview Individual level |
Interview | FSD650C | MF (0-5) | Child - WIC in past 12 months | |
FSD660C | MF (0-4) | Child - current WIC | |||
FSD670C | MF (0-4) | Child - No. months WIC | |||
Reproductive Health (RHQ) Mobile Exam Center (MEC) Individual level |
MEC | FSD650M | F (12 - 150) | Mom - WIC in past 12 months | |
FSD660M | F (12 - 150) | Mom - current WIC | |||
FSD670M | F (12 - 150) | Mom - No. months WIC |
* Number of positive responses for each category. Response ranges for HH Food Security categories are for HH's with children; the HH and AD measures are identical for adult-only HH's.