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.
The target sample, for the questions in this section, is persons age 16 years and older. However, target samples for some questions in this section vary. Please review the codebook carefully. Frequency counts were verified during the preparation of the file.
These questions were asked in the home, using an interviewer- administered computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) system.
For details on the administration of the Weight History (WHQ_D_) section, please refer to the NHANES 2005-06 Interviewer Procedure Manuals and the Weight History Sample Person Questionnaire on the NHANES website.
For details on the QA/QC process for this component, please refer to the NHANES 2005-06 Interviewer Procedure Manuals on the NHANES website.
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).
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 to be physiologically implausible and the result of interviewer data entry error, were coded as “missing.”
Three new WHD080 (How did you try to lose weight?) and WHD100 (What did you do to keep from gaining weight?) categories were created from Other (specify) responses: “Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads,” “Changed eating habits (didn’t eat late at night, ate less junk/fast food, ate several small meals/day),” and “Ate less sugar, candy, sweets.”
If maximum weight (WHD150) extended over more than one year, the interviewer recorded the most recent age at which the survey participant reported that weight.
Responses to WHD150 (age when weighed the most) were top coded at 85 years for consistency with the top-coded age of the survey participant.
2005-06 changes
Survey participants who answered yes to WHQ070 (During the past 12 months, have you tried to lose weight?) were no longer asked WHQ090 (Have you done anything in the past 12 months to keep from gaining weight?)
Several new questions were added asking about lifetime weight loss attempts (WHQ210), the amount of weight lost (WHD220), whether the survey participant had sought help from a health professional to lose weight (WHQ270), and what type of health professional provided help (WHQ280A – WHQ280E).
New response categories “Ate fewer carbohydrates” and “Started to smoke or began to smoke again” were added to WHQ080 and WHQ100.
Although data in this file were collected as part of the household questionnaire, if they are merged with the MEC exam data, 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.
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
48 to 83 | Range of Values | 5963 | 5963 | |
7777 | Refused | 2 | 5965 | |
9999 | Don't know | 108 | 6073 | |
. | Missing | 66 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 to 600 | Range of Values | 5994 | 5994 | |
7777 | Refused | 4 | 5998 | |
9999 | Don't know | 91 | 6089 | |
. | Missing | 50 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Overweight, | 2977 | 2977 | |
2 | Underweight, or | 402 | 3379 | |
3 | About the right weight? | 2741 | 6120 | |
7 | Refused | 3 | 6123 | |
9 | Don't know | 16 | 6139 | |
. | Missing | 0 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | More, | 624 | 624 | |
2 | Less, or | 3437 | 4061 | |
3 | Stay about the same? | 2068 | 6129 | |
7 | Refused | 2 | 6131 | |
9 | Don't know | 8 | 6139 | |
. | Missing | 0 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
73 to 550 | Range of Values | 5987 | 5987 | |
7777 | Refused | 6 | 5993 | |
9999 | Don't know | 96 | 6089 | |
. | Missing | 50 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 629 | 629 | WHD080A |
2 | No | 441 | 1070 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 1070 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 1070 | |
. | Missing | 5069 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1885 | 1885 | |
2 | No | 3622 | 5507 | WHQ090 |
7 | Refused | 2 | 5509 | WHQ090 |
9 | Don't know | 1 | 5510 | WHQ090 |
. | Missing | 629 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Ate less food (amount) | 1644 | 1644 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 1644 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 1644 | |
. | Missing | 4495 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Switched to foods with lower calories | 861 | 861 | |
. | Missing | 5278 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 | Ate less fat | 1019 | 1019 | |
. | Missing | 5120 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Exercised | 1599 | 1599 | |
. | Missing | 4540 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Skipped meals | 553 | 553 | |
. | Missing | 5586 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Ate 'diet' foods or products | 367 | 367 | |
. | Missing | 5772 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
16 | Used a liquid diet formula such as slimfast or optifast | 179 | 179 | |
. | Missing | 5960 | 6139 |
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 | 154 | 154 | |
. | Missing | 5985 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 | Took diet pills prescribed by a doctor | 68 | 68 | |
. | Missing | 6071 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
32 | Took other pills, medicines, herbs, or supplements not needing a prescription | 207 | 207 | |
. | Missing | 5932 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Took laxatives or vomited | 30 | 30 | |
. | Missing | 6109 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
40 | Other | 53 | 53 | |
. | Missing | 6086 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
34 | Drank a lot of water | 1169 | 1169 | |
. | Missing | 4970 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
30 | Followed a special diet | 236 | 236 | |
. | Missing | 5903 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
41 | Ate fewer carbohydrates | 709 | 709 | |
. | Missing | 5430 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
42 | Started to smoke or began to smoke again | 31 | 31 | |
. | Missing | 6108 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
43 | Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads | 8 | 8 | |
. | Missing | 6131 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
44 | Changed eating habits | 18 | 18 | |
. | Missing | 6121 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
45 | Ate less sugar, candy, sweets | 12 | 12 | |
. | Missing | 6127 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 350 | 350 | |
2 | No | 2164 | 2514 | WHQ185 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 2514 | WHQ185 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 2514 | WHQ185 |
. | Missing | 3625 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | personal trainer | 92 | 92 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 92 | |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 92 | |
. | Missing | 6047 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | dietitian | 56 | 56 | |
. | Missing | 6083 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 | nutritionist | 67 | 67 | |
. | Missing | 6072 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 | doctor, or | 102 | 102 | |
. | Missing | 6037 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 | other health professional | 26 | 26 | |
. | Missing | 6113 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 599 | 599 | |
2 | No | 3024 | 3623 | WHQ210 |
7 | Refused | 2 | 3625 | WHQ210 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 3625 | WHQ210 |
. | Missing | 2514 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Ate less food (amount) | 271 | 271 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 271 | |
99 | Don't know | 0 | 271 | |
. | Missing | 5868 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Switched to foods with lower calories | 145 | 145 | |
. | Missing | 5994 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 | Ate less fat | 218 | 218 | |
. | Missing | 5921 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Exercised | 338 | 338 | |
. | Missing | 5801 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Skipped meals | 72 | 72 | |
. | Missing | 6067 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Ate 'diet' foods or products | 35 | 35 | |
. | Missing | 6104 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
16 | Used a liquid diet formula such as slimfast or optifast | 14 | 14 | |
. | Missing | 6125 | 6139 |
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 | 7 | 7 | |
. | Missing | 6132 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 | Took diet pills prescribed by a doctor | 2 | 2 | |
. | Missing | 6137 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
32 | Took other pills, medicines, herbs, or supplements not needing a prescription | 9 | 9 | |
. | Missing | 6130 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Took laxatives or vomited | 1 | 1 | |
. | Missing | 6138 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
40 | Other (specify) | 14 | 14 | |
. | Missing | 6125 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
34 | Drank a lot of water | 191 | 191 | |
. | Missing | 5948 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
30 | Followed a special diet | 9 | 9 | |
. | Missing | 6130 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
41 | Ate fewer carbohydrates | 103 | 103 | |
. | Missing | 6036 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
42 | Started to smoke or began to smoke again | 5 | 5 | |
. | Missing | 6134 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
43 | Ate more fruits, vegetables, salads | 1 | 1 | |
. | Missing | 6138 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
44 | Changed eating habits | 6 | 6 | |
. | Missing | 6133 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
45 | Ate less sugar, candy, sweets | 7 | 7 | |
. | Missing | 6132 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1054 | 1054 | |
2 | No | 2567 | 3621 | WHQ105 |
7 | Refused | 2 | 3623 | WHQ105 |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 3625 | WHQ105 |
. | Missing | 2514 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 to 220 | Range of Values | 3475 | 3475 | |
77777 | Refused | 0 | 3475 | |
99999 | Don't know | 27 | 3502 | |
. | Missing | 2637 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 to 400 | Range of Values | 3270 | 3270 | |
7777 | Refused | 2 | 3272 | |
9999 | Don't know | 68 | 3340 | |
. | Missing | 2799 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 to 390 | Range of Values | 4049 | 4049 | |
7777 | Refused | 2 | 4051 | |
9999 | Don't know | 116 | 4167 | |
. | Missing | 1972 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
51 to 80 | Range of Values | 2125 | 2125 | |
7777 | Refused | 1 | 2126 | |
9999 | Don't know | 64 | 2190 | |
. | Missing | 3949 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
73 to 610 | Range of Values | 5341 | 5341 | |
7777 | Refused | 6 | 5347 | |
9999 | Don't know | 202 | 5549 | |
. | Missing | 590 | 6139 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 to 85 | Range of Values | 5431 | 5431 | |
77777 | Refused | 0 | 5431 | |
99999 | Don't know | 26 | 5457 | |
. | Missing | 682 | 6139 |