National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2019-March 2020 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Functioning - Adult (FNQA_K_R)

RDC Only Data File: FNQA_K_R.xpt

First Published: December 2021

Last Revised: NA

Due to disclosure issues, this dataset is not available publicly. Access may be obtained through the NCHS Research Data Center (https://www.cdc.gov/rdc).

Component Description

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 Functioning Questionnaire (variable name prefix FNQ) section is part of the NHANES household interview and was newly added for the 2019-2020 survey cycle, replacing the Disability (DLQ) and Physical Functioning (PFQ) sections from the previous data collection cycles. In recent years, much of the science evolved regarding disability measurement, which warranted a new questionnaire section that would better capture information on functional difficulties in the U.S. population. This newly developed FNQ section included two sets of questions: 15 items collecting information for children 5 to 17 years, and 17 items focusing on adults 18 years and older. The present file (FNQA_K_R) contains functioning and disability data from adults. FNQ data for children are available in a separate file, FNQC_K_R.

The adult FNQ included 14 questions on difficulties a person may have in undertaking basic functioning activities. These questions are based on a subset of items from the Washington Group Extended Set on Functioning (WG-ES) module (Washington Group on Disability Statistics, 2020). These items were cognitively tested and field tested in different global regions, and the results were documented in a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP; https://www.washingtongroup-disability.com/fileadmin/uploads/wg/Documents/Results-Testing-ESCAP-WG-Question-Disability.pdf). The adult FNQ in the NHANES 2019-2020 cycle also included additional 3 questions regarding social functioning. These questions were adapted from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Survey_Questionnaires/NHIS/2019/EnglishQuest.pdf).

FNQ section topics include:

Current use of corrective lenses (i.e., glasses or contact lenses) or a hearing aid, and difficulty with vision and hearing (FNQ400 - FNQ430);
Difficulty with carrying out daily functional activities, such as walking or climbing steps, memory or concentration, self-care (e.g., washing up or dressing), and raising objects (FNQ430 – FNQ490);
Difficulty with social functioning such as doing errands alone, participating in social activities, and being limited in the kind or amount of work one can do (FNQ500, FNQ550, FNQ560); and
Emotional difficulties such as feeling worried, anxious, or nervous; and depressed (FNQ510– FNQ540).

Eligible Sample

All survey participants aged 18 years and older in the NHANES 2019-March 2020 convenience sample were eligible.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked, in the home, by trained interviewers using Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system.

Participants 16 years and older and emancipated minors were interviewed directly. A proxy provided information for survey participants who could not answer the questions themselves.

The NHANES 2019-2020 FNQ is available 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. During the 2019-2020 data collection cycle, periodic QC checks were performed on the FNQ data being collected; and interviewer-specific feedback and retraining was performed as appropriate.

Data Processing and Editing

Questionnaire interview responses were entered into a tablet and then uploaded into a computerized database in the same manner as other sections of the Survey Participant Questionnaire. The data were then edited for completeness, consistency, and illogical values.

Analytic Notes

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.

References

Washington Group on Disability Statistics. The Washington Group Extended Set on Functioning (WG-ES). (2020). Available from: https://www.washingtongroup-disability.com/fileadmin/uploads/wg/Documents/Questions/Washington_Group_Questionnaire__2_-_WG_Extended_Set_on_Functioning.pdf

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 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FNQ400 - Do you wear glasses or contact lenses

Variable Name:: FNQ400
SAS Label:: Do you wear glasses or contact lenses
English Text:: Now I am going to ask you some questions about {your/SP’s} ability to do different activities, and how {you have/he has/she has} been feeling. {Do you/Does SP} wear glasses or contact lenses?
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	2428	2428
2	No	1409	3837
7	Refused	0	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ410 - Hard to see even if wearing glasses

Variable Name:: FNQ410
SAS Label:: Hard to see even if wearing glasses
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty seeing {even if wearing glasses or contact lenses}? Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3 CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF YES (CODE 1) IN FNQ.400, DISPLAY “even if wearing glasses or contact lenses”
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	2293	2293
2	Some difficulty	1399	3692
3	A lot of difficulty	135	3827
4	Cannot do at all	10	3837
7	Refused	0	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ420 - Do you use a hearing aid?

Variable Name:: FNQ420
SAS Label:: Do you use a hearing aid?
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} use a hearing aid?
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	143	143
2	No	3694	3837
7	Refused	0	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ430 - Hard to hear even w/ hearing aid

Variable Name:: FNQ430
SAS Label:: Hard to hear even w/ hearing aid
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty hearing {even if using a hearing aid}? Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3 CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF YES (CODE 1) IN FNQ.420, DISPLAY “even if using a hearing aid
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	2742	2742
2	Some difficulty	990	3732
3	A lot of difficulty	103	3835
4	Cannot do at all	1	3836
7	Refused	0	3836
9	Don’t know	1	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ440 - Difficulty walking or climbing steps

Variable Name:: FNQ440
SAS Label:: Difficulty walking or climbing steps
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty walking or climbing steps? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	2768	2768
2	Some difficulty	757	3525
3	A lot of difficulty	265	3790
4	Cannot do at all	45	3835
7	Refused	0	3835
9	Don’t know	2	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ450 - Difficulty communicating

Variable Name:: FNQ450
SAS Label:: Difficulty communicating
English Text:: Using {your/his/her} usual language, {do you/does SP} have difficulty communicating, for example, understanding or being understood? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	3298	3298
2	Some difficulty	482	3780
3	A lot of difficulty	53	3833
4	Cannot do at all	3	3836
7	Refused	0	3836
9	Don’t know	1	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ460 - Difficulty remembering or concentrating

Variable Name:: FNQ460
SAS Label:: Difficulty remembering or concentrating
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty remembering or concentrating? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	2456	2456
2	Some difficulty	1195	3651
3	A lot of difficulty	182	3833
4	Cannot do at all	3	3836
7	Refused	0	3836
9	Don’t know	1	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ470 - Difficulty with self-care

Variable Name:: FNQ470
SAS Label:: Difficulty with self-care
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty with self-care, such as washing all over and dressing? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	3575	3575
2	Some difficulty	208	3783
3	A lot of difficulty	35	3818
4	Cannot do at all	19	3837
7	Refused	0	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ480 - Difficulty raising a 2 liter bottle

Variable Name:: FNQ480
SAS Label:: Difficulty raising a 2 liter bottle
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty raising a 2 liter bottle of water or soda from waist to eye level? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	3533	3533
2	Some difficulty	225	3758
3	A lot of difficulty	55	3813
4	Cannot do at all	21	3834
7	Refused	1	3835
9	Don’t know	2	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ490 - Difficulty using hands and fingers

Variable Name:: FNQ490
SAS Label:: Difficulty using hands and fingers
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty using {your/his/her} hands and fingers, such as picking up small objects, for example, a button or pencil, or opening or closing containers or bottles? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	3237	3237
2	Some difficulty	480	3717
3	A lot of difficulty	105	3822
4	Cannot do at all	14	3836
7	Refused	1	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ500 - Difficulty doing errands alone

Variable Name:: FNQ500
SAS Label:: Difficulty doing errands alone
English Text:: Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, {do you/does SP} have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping? [Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?]
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	3341	3341
2	Some difficulty	301	3642
3	A lot of difficulty	89	3731
4	Cannot do at all	101	3832
7	Refused	1	3833
9	Don’t know	4	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ510 - How often feel worried/nervous/anxious

Variable Name:: FNQ510
SAS Label:: How often feel worried/nervous/anxious
English Text:: How often {do you/does SP} feel worried, nervous, or anxious? Would you say…
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Daily	776	776
2	Weekly	649	1425
3	Monthly	420	1845
4	A few times a year	1164	3009
5	Never	821	3830	FNQ530
7	Refused	1	3831	FNQ530
9	Don’t know	6	3837	FNQ530
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ520 - Describe level of these feelings

Variable Name:: FNQ520
SAS Label:: Describe level of these feelings
English Text:: Thinking about the last time {you/SP} felt worried, nervous, or anxious, how would {you/he/she} describe the level of these feelings? Would you say…
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	A little	1074	1074
2	A lot	426	1500
3	Somewhere in between a little and a lot	1508	3008
7	Refused	0	3008
9	Don’t know	1	3009
.	Missing	828	3837

FNQ530 - How often do you feel depressed

Variable Name:: FNQ530
SAS Label:: How often do you feel depressed
English Text:: How often {do you/does SP} feel depressed? Would you say…
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	Daily	276	276
2	Weekly	335	611
3	Monthly	368	979
4	A few times a year	1254	2233
5	Never	1598	3831	FNQ550
7	Refused	0	3831	FNQ550
9	Don’t know	6	3837	FNQ550
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ540 - How depressed did you feel

Variable Name:: FNQ540
SAS Label:: How depressed did you feel
English Text:: Thinking about the last time {you/SP} felt depressed, how depressed did {you/he/she} feel? Would you say…
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	A little	895	895
2	A lot	363	1258
3	Somewhere in between a little and a lot	972	2230
7	Refused	0	2230
9	Don’t know	3	2233
.	Missing	1604	3837

FNQ550 - Difficulty in social activities

Variable Name:: FNQ550
SAS Label:: Difficulty in social activities
English Text:: {Do you/Does SP} have difficulty participating in social activities such as visiting friends, attending clubs and meetings, going to parties? Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or {you/he/she} cannot do this at all?
English Instructions:: HAND CARD FNQ3
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	No difficulty	2830	2830
2	Some difficulty	736	3566
3	A lot of difficulty	187	3753
4	Cannot do at all	83	3836
7	Refused	1	3837
9	Don’t know	0	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

FNQ560 - Limited in work able to do?

Variable Name:: FNQ560
SAS Label:: Limited in work able to do?
English Text:: {Are you/Is SP} limited in the kind or amount of work {you/he/she} can do because of a physical, mental, or emotional problem?
Target:: Both males and females 18 YEARS - 150 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	Yes	914	914
2	No	2918	3832
7	Refused	1	3833
9	Don’t know	4	3837
.	Missing	0	3837

Table of Contents