The NHANES program suspended field operations in March 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, data collection for the NHANES 2019-2020 cycle was not completed. Data collected in 2019-March 2020 can be accessed as convenience samples through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC). Any analyses based solely on the 2019-March 2020 data would not be generalizable to the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. Please refer to the Analytic Notes section for more details on the use of the data.
The Diet Behavior and Nutrition questionnaire (variable name prefix DBQ) provides personal interview data on various dietary behavior and nutrition related topics. In 2019, a series of questions were added to the DBQ section to collect additional information on infant feeding practices. These questions were added under the recommendation of the federal consortium coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) to support the Agricultural Act of 2014. The Act mandates that beginning with the 2020-2025 edition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes comprehensive dietary recommendations for children 0-24 months. Nationally representative data on children 0-24 months are crucial to advancing the science base used to inform current and future federal nutrition and related health programs, policies, and consumer information. These newly implemented questions in NHANES were designed to fill the information gaps in this important topic. These questions have been cognitively tested by NCHS’ Collaborating Center for Question Design and Evaluation Research (CCQDER; Creamer et al., 2018). Topics covered by these new questions in the DBQ include:
• Mixed feeding and modes of feeding; and
• Introduction of first foods with a focus on the five main food groups.
In addition to these items, information on breastfeeding and other childhood feeding practices that has been traditionally collected in the NHANES was also included in the present dataset for the target age group.
All participants aged birth to 23 months old in the NHANES 2019-March 2020 convenience sample were eligible.
These questions were asked in the home to an adult proxy, by trained interviewers, using the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system. Hand cards showing response categories were used for some questions. When necessary, the interviewers read the hand cards to respondents.
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. All data was reviewed by the NHANES field office staff for accuracy and completeness.
Frequency counts were checked, "skip" patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of question responses was reviewed. 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., DBQ) to a D (i.e., DBD). For example, some data were collected using two variables (a number variable and a unit of measure variable) but combined into a single variable for data release purposes.
DBD020, DBD030, DBD041, DBD050, DBD055, and DBD061 (Breastfeeding and other childhood feeding practices)
This information was collected using two-part (number and unit) questions to allow respondents to report the age of interest in days, weeks, months, or years. The released variables were edited to standardize the reported age to number of days, using the following conversion factors: 7 days/week, 30.4 days/month and 365 days/year. If the age for the time stopped breastfeeding (DBD030), or stopped receiving formula (DBD050), or first fed milk (DBD060) was reported as older than 1095 days (3 years), the value was re-coded as "666666." Similarly, if the age for the time first fed formula (DBD041) was reported as older than 365 days (1 year), or the age for the time started other food/beverage than breastmilk/formula was reported as older than 730 days (2 years), the value was re-coded as "666666" as well.
The COVID-19 pandemic required suspension of NHANES 2019-2020 field operations in March 2020 after data were collected in 18 of the 30 survey locations in the 2019-2020 sample. Data collection was cancelled for the remaining 12 locations. Calculation of survey weights for this partial cycle is not possible due to incomplete data collection. Therefore, data from survey components that were only collected in 2019-March 2020 are made available as convenience samples through NCHS's Research Data Center (RDC) because unbiased estimates for the NHANES target population cannot be produced with these samples.
For survey components conducted in both 2017-2018 and 2019-2020 cycles, data collected from 2019 to March 2020 were combined with data from 2017 to 2018 to form a nationally representative sample of NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic data. Please see the NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic data page for detailed information on this combined sample.
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 306 | 306 | |
2 | No | 81 | 387 | DBD041 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 387 | DBD041 |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 389 | DBD041 |
. | Missing | 0 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 547 | Range of Values | 205 | 205 | |
0 | Still breastfeeding | 101 | 306 | |
777777 | Refused | 0 | 306 | DBD041 |
999999 | Don't know | 0 | 306 | DBD041 |
. | Missing | 83 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Only at the breast | 34 | 34 | |
2 | At the breast and also from a bottle, cup, or spoon, or | 56 | 90 | |
3 | Only from a bottle, cup, or spoon | 11 | 101 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 101 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 101 | |
. | Missing | 288 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 304 | Range of Values | 317 | 317 | |
0 | Never | 70 | 387 | DBD155 |
666666 | More than 365 days (1-year) old | 0 | 387 | |
777777 | Refused | 0 | 387 | |
999999 | Don't know | 2 | 389 | |
. | Missing | 0 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 730 | Range of Values | 134 | 134 | |
0 | Still drinking formula | 183 | 317 | |
777777 | Refused | 0 | 317 | |
999999 | Don't know | 2 | 319 | |
. | Missing | 70 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 16 | 16 | |
2 | No | 108 | 124 | DBD164 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 124 | DBD164 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 124 | DBD164 |
. | Missing | 265 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Added formula powder to breast milk, | 9 | 9 | |
2 | Added prepared (mixed up) formula or ready-to-feed formula to breast milk, or | 7 | 16 | |
3 | Added liquid formula concentrate to breast milk | 0 | 16 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 16 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 16 | |
. | Missing | 373 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 58 | 58 | |
2 | Rarely | 0 | 58 | |
3 | Every few days, | 1 | 59 | |
4 | About once a day, | 1 | 60 | |
5 | At most feedings, or | 2 | 62 | |
6 | Every feeding? | 3 | 65 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 65 | |
99 | Don't know | 2 | 67 | |
. | Missing | 322 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 157 | 157 | |
2 | Rarely | 10 | 167 | |
3 | Every few days | 5 | 172 | |
4 | About once a day | 3 | 175 | |
5 | At most feedings, or | 2 | 177 | |
6 | Every feeding? | 5 | 182 | |
7 | Does not prepare formula | 0 | 182 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 182 | |
99 | Don't know | 1 | 183 | |
. | Missing | 206 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 68 | 68 | |
2 | No | 151 | 219 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 219 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 220 | |
. | Missing | 169 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 8 | 8 | |
2 | No | 211 | 219 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 219 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 220 | |
. | Missing | 169 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 21 | 21 | |
2 | No | 198 | 219 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 219 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 220 | |
. | Missing | 169 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 23 | 23 | |
2 | No | 196 | 219 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 219 | |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 220 | |
. | Missing | 169 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 547 | Range of Values | 316 | 316 | |
0 | Never | 70 | 386 | End of Section |
666666 | More than 730 days (2-year) old | 0 | 386 | |
777777 | Refused | 0 | 386 | |
999999 | Don't know | 1 | 387 | |
. | Missing | 2 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
121 to 547 | Range of Values | 171 | 171 | |
0 | Never | 144 | 315 | DBQ660 |
777777 | Refused | 0 | 315 | |
999999 | Don't know | 2 | 317 | |
. | Missing | 72 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Whole or regular milk | 116 | 116 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 116 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 116 | |
. | Missing | 273 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 2% fat or reduced-fat milk | 30 | 30 | |
. | Missing | 359 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 | 1% fat or low-fat milk (includes 0.5% fat milk or low-fat milk not further specified), | 10 | 10 | |
. | Missing | 379 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 | fat-free, skim or nonfat milk, or | 1 | 1 | |
. | Missing | 388 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | soy milk, or | 7 | 7 | |
. | Missing | 382 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
30 | Another type? | 16 | 16 | |
. | Missing | 373 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 23 | 23 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 43 | 66 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 101 | 167 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 102 | 269 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 29 | 298 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 10 | 308 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 10 | 318 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 318 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 26 | 26 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 13 | 39 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 105 | 144 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 132 | 276 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 26 | 302 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 10 | 312 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 6 | 318 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 318 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 26 | 26 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 14 | 40 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 106 | 146 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 129 | 275 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 32 | 307 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 6 | 313 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 5 | 318 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 318 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 92 | 92 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 3 | 95 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 13 | 108 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 78 | 186 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 56 | 242 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 27 | 269 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 47 | 316 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 316 | |
99 | Don't know | 2 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 85 | 85 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 1 | 86 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 15 | 101 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 68 | 169 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 61 | 230 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 35 | 265 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 53 | 318 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 318 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 117 | 117 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 2 | 119 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 11 | 130 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 51 | 181 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 53 | 234 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 26 | 260 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 56 | 316 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 316 | |
99 | Don't know | 2 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 254 | 254 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 2 | 256 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 1 | 257 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 13 | 270 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 17 | 287 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 7 | 294 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 22 | 316 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 316 | |
99 | Don't know | 2 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Never | 137 | 137 | |
2 | 0-3 Months | 1 | 138 | |
3 | 4-5 Months | 6 | 144 | |
4 | 6-7 Months | 39 | 183 | |
5 | 8-9 Months | 37 | 220 | |
6 | 10-11 Months | 29 | 249 | |
7 | 12 Months or older | 69 | 318 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 318 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 318 | |
. | Missing | 71 | 389 |