Table of Contents

Component Description

The Weight History section of the Sample Person Questionnaire (variable name prefix WHQ) provides personal interview data on several topics related to body weight, including self-perception of weight, self-reported weight over the participant’s lifetime, attempted weight loss during the past 12 months, and methods used to try to lose weight and to keep from gaining weight.

Eligible Sample

Participants aged 16 years and older were eligible. However, age to participate for some questions in this section vary. Please review the codebook carefully. Frequency counts were verified during the preparation of the file.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

Trained interviewers asked these questions, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system.

For details on the administration of the Weight History (WHQ_H) section, please refer to the Weight History Sample Person Questionnaire on the NHANES website.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Data Processing and Editing

Edits were made to some variables to ensure the completeness, consistency, and analytic usefulness of the data. Edits were also made, when necessary, to address data disclosure concerns. When a variable was modified globally, as part of the editing process, the third letter in the variable name was changed from a Q (i.e., WHQ) to a D (i.e., WHD). For example, height data were collected as feet and inches, but standardized to inches using the conversion factors 0.3937 inches per centimeter and 12 inches per foot. Current and past self-reported weights were standardized to weight in pounds using the conversion factor 2.2046 pounds per kilogram.

Reported heights and weights, considered being physiologically implausible or the result of interviewer data entry error, were coded as “missing.”

If maximum weight (WHQ150) extended over more than one year, the interviewer recorded the most recent age at which the survey participant reported that weight.

All responses to WHQ150 (age when weighed the most) of 80 years and older were coded as ‘80’ to be consistent with the way age of the survey participant was coded in the demographic file.

Analytic Notes

Although data in this file were collected as part of the household interview, if they are merged with the MEC exam data, exam sample weights should be used for analyses.

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

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 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WHD010 - Current self-reported height (inches)

Variable Name:
WHD010
SAS Label:
Current self-reported height (inches)
English Text:
These next questions ask about {your/SP's} height and weight at different times in {your/his/her} life. How tall {are you/is SP} without shoes?
English Instructions:
ENTER HEIGHT IN FEET AND INCHES OR METERS AND CENTIMETERS.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
48 to 81 Range of Values 6376 6376
7777 Refused 1 6377
9999 Don't know 62 6439
. Missing 25 6464

WHD020 - Current self-reported weight (pounds)

Variable Name:
WHD020
SAS Label:
Current self-reported weight (pounds)
English Text:
How much {do you/does SP} weigh without clothes or shoes?
English Instructions:
RECORD CURRENT WEIGHT. IF PREGNANT, ASK FOR WEIGHT BEFORE PREGNANCY. ENTER WEIGHT IN POUNDS OR KILOGRAMS.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
75 to 493 Range of Values 6377 6377
7777 Refused 7 6384
9999 Don't know 46 6430
. Missing 34 6464

WHQ030 - How do you consider your weight

Variable Name:
WHQ030
SAS Label:
How do you consider your weight
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} consider {your/his/her}self now to be . . . [If {you are/she is} currently pregnant, what did {you/she} consider {your/her}self to be before {you were/she was} pregnant?]
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY OPTIONAL SENTENCE [If {you are/she is} currently pregnant...] ONLY IF SP IS FEMALE AND AGE IS 16 THROUGH 59.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Overweight, 3218 3218
2 Underweight, or 369 3587
3 About the right weight? 2865 6452
7 Refused 0 6452
9 Don't know 12 6464
. Missing 0 6464

WHQ040 - Like to weigh more, less or same

Variable Name:
WHQ040
SAS Label:
Like to weigh more, less or same
English Text:
Would {you/SP} like to weigh . . .
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 More, 581 581
2 Less, or 3806 4387
3 Stay about the same? 2070 6457 WHD050
7 Refused 1 6458 WHD050
9 Don't know 6 6464 WHD050
. Missing 0 6464

WHD050 - Self-reported weight - 1 yr ago (pounds)

Variable Name:
WHD050
SAS Label:
Self-reported weight - 1 yr ago (pounds)
English Text:
How much did {you/SP} weigh a year ago?
English Instructions:
ENTER WEIGHT IN POUNDS OR KILOGRAMS. IF PREGNANT, ASK FOR WEIGHT BEFORE PREGNANCY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
75 to 559 Range of Values 6330 6330
7777 Refused 10 6340
9999 Don't know 82 6422
. Missing 42 6464

WHQ055 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
WHQ055
English Instructions:
BOX 1. CHECK ITEM WHQ055: IF WEIGHT IN WHD050 IS 10 POUNDS OR MORE THAN WEIGHT IN WHD020 (E.G., WHD050 = 150 LBS WHD020 = 135 LBS), CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO WHQ070.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WHQ060 - Weight change intentional

Variable Name:
WHQ060
SAS Label:
Weight change intentional
English Text:
Was the change between {your/SP's} current weight and {your/his/her} weight a year ago intentional?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 788 788 WHD080A
2 No 450 1238
7 Refused 0 1238
9 Don't know 1 1239
. Missing 5225 6464

WHQ070 - Tried to lose weight in past year

Variable Name:
WHQ070
SAS Label:
Tried to lose weight in past year
English Text:
During the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} tried to lose weight?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2049 2049
2 No 3623 5672
7 Refused 0 5672
9 Don't know 2 5674
. Missing 790 6464

WHD080A - Ate less to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHD080A
SAS Label:
Ate less to lose weight
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 Ate less food (amount) 1693 1693
77 Refused 0 1693
99 Don't know 0 1693
. Missing 4771 6464

WHD080B - Switched to foods with lower calories

Variable Name:
WHD080B
SAS Label:
Switched to foods with lower calories
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
11 Switched to foods with lower calories 883 883
. Missing 5581 6464

WHD080C - Ate less fat to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHD080C
SAS Label:
Ate less fat to lose weight
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12 Ate less fat 802 802
. Missing 5662 6464

WHD080D - Exercised to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHD080D
SAS Label:
Exercised to lose weight
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
13 Exercised 1830 1830
. Missing 4634 6464

WHD080E - Skipped meals

Variable Name:
WHD080E
SAS Label:
Skipped meals
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
14 Skipped meals 399 399
. Missing 6065 6464

WHD080F - Ate diet foods or products

Variable Name:
WHD080F
SAS Label:
Ate diet foods or products
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
15 Ate 'diet' foods or products 233 233
. Missing 6231 6464

WHD080G - Used a liquid diet formula

Variable Name:
WHD080G
SAS Label:
Used a liquid diet formula
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
16 Used a liquid diet formula such as slimfast or optifast 115 115
. Missing 6349 6464

WHD080H - Joined a weight loss program

Variable Name:
WHD080H
SAS Label:
Joined a weight loss program
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
17 Joined a weight loss program such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Tops, or Overeaters Anonymous 114 114
. Missing 6350 6464

WHD080I - Took prescription diet pills

Variable Name:
WHD080I
SAS Label:
Took prescription diet pills
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
31 Took diet pills prescribed by a doctor 84 84
. Missing 6380 6464

WHD080J - Took non-RX suppl. to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHD080J
SAS Label:
Took non-RX suppl. to lose weight
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
32 Took other pills, medicines, herbs, or supplements not needing a prescription 200 200
. Missing 6264 6464

WHD080K - Took laxatives or vomited

Variable Name:
WHD080K
SAS Label:
Took laxatives or vomited
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
33 Took laxatives or vomited 26 26
. Missing 6438 6464

WHD080M - Drank a lot of water

Variable Name:
WHD080M
SAS Label:
Drank a lot of water
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
34 Drank a lot of water 1033 1033
. Missing 5431 6464

WHD080N - Followed a special diet

Variable Name:
WHD080N
SAS Label:
Followed a special diet
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
30 Followed a special diet 175 175
. Missing 6289 6464

WHD080O - Ate fewer carbohydrates

Variable Name:
WHD080O
SAS Label:
Ate fewer carbohydrates
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
41 Ate fewer carbohydrates 689 689
. Missing 5775 6464

WHD080P - Started to smoke or began to smoke again

Variable Name:
WHD080P
SAS Label:
Started to smoke or began to smoke again
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
42 Started to smoke or began to smoke again 19 19
. Missing 6445 6464

WHD080Q - Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads

Variable Name:
WHD080Q
SAS Label:
Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
43 Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads 1121 1121
. Missing 5343 6464

WHD080R - Changed eating habits

Variable Name:
WHD080R
SAS Label:
Changed eating habits
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
44 Changed eating habits 1022 1022
. Missing 5442 6464

WHD080S - Ate less sugar, candy, sweets

Variable Name:
WHD080S
SAS Label:
Ate less sugar, candy, sweets
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
45 Ate less sugar, candy, sweets 943 943
. Missing 5521 6464

WHD080T - Ate less junk food or fast food

Variable Name:
WHD080T
SAS Label:
Ate less junk food or fast food
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
46 Ate less junk food or fast food 996 996
. Missing 5468 6464

WHD080u - Had weight loss to lose weight

Variable Name:
WHD080u
SAS Label:
Had weight loss to lose weight
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
35 Had weight loss surgery 15 15
. Missing 6449 6464

WHD080L - Other

Variable Name:
WHD080L
SAS Label:
Other
English Text:
How did {you/SP} try to lose weight?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD WHQ1. CODE ALL THAT APPLY.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
40 Other 29 29
. Missing 6435 6464

WHQ105 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
WHQ105
English Instructions:
BOX 3. CHECK ITEM WHQ105: IF SP's AGE >= 36, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 4.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WHD110 - Self-reported weight-10 yrs ago (pounds)

Variable Name:
WHD110
SAS Label:
Self-reported weight-10 yrs ago (pounds)
English Text:
How much did {you/SP} weigh 10 years ago? [If you don't know {your/his/her} exact weight, please make your best guess.]
English Instructions:
ENTER WEIGHT IN POUNDS OR KILOGRAMS. IF PREGNANT, ASK FOR WEIGHT BEFORE PREGNANCY.
Target:
Both males and females 36 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
75 to 600 Range of Values 4075 4075
7777 Refused 8 4083
9999 Don't know 96 4179
. Missing 2285 6464

WHQ115a - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
WHQ115a
English Instructions:
BOX 4. CHECK ITEM WHQ115a: IF SP's AGE >= 27, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO WHD140.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WHD120 - Self-reported weight-age 25 (pounds)

Variable Name:
WHD120
SAS Label:
Self-reported weight-age 25 (pounds)
English Text:
How much did {you/SP} weigh at age 25? [If you don't know {your/his/her} exact weight, please make your best guess.] If ( you were/she was) pregnant, how much did (you/she) weigh before (your/her) pregnancy?
English Instructions:
ENTER WEIGHT IN POUNDS OR KILOGRAMS. IF PREGNANT, ASK FOR WEIGHT BEFORE PREGNANCY.
Target:
Both males and females 27 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
55 to 600 Range of Values 4811 4811
7777 Refused 4 4815
9999 Don't know 209 5024
. Missing 1440 6464

WHQ125 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
WHQ125
English Instructions:
BOX 5. CHECK ITEM WHQ125: IF SP's AGE >= 50, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO WHD140.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WHD130 - Self-reported height - age 25 (inches)

Variable Name:
WHD130
SAS Label:
Self-reported height - age 25 (inches)
English Text:
How tall {were you/was SP} at age 25? [If you don't know {your/his/her} exact height, please make your best guess.]
English Instructions:
ENTER HEIGHT IN FEET AND INCHES OR METERS AND CENTIMETERS
Target:
Both males and females 50 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
50 to 81 Range of Values 2678 2678
7777 Refused 2 2680
9999 Don't know 85 2765
. Missing 3699 6464

WHD140 - Self-reported greatest weight (pounds)

Variable Name:
WHD140
SAS Label:
Self-reported greatest weight (pounds)
English Text:
Up to the present time, what is the most {you have/SP has} ever weighed?
English Instructions:
ENTER WEIGHT IN POUNDS OR KILOGRAMS. DO NOT INCLUDE WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
85 to 600 Range of Values 6025 6025
7777 Refused 9 6034
9999 Don't know 69 6103
. Missing 361 6464

WHQ150 - Age when heaviest weight

Variable Name:
WHQ150
SAS Label:
Age when heaviest weight
English Text:
How old {were you/was SP} then? [If you don't know {your/his/her} exact age, please make your best guess.]
English Instructions:
ENTER AGE IN YEARS. Response cannot be greater than the age of the SP.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 79 Range of Values 5887 5887
80 80 years or older 101 5988
77777 Refused 0 5988
99999 Don't know 32 6020
. Missing 444 6464