The diabetes section (variable name prefix DIQ) provides personal interview data on diabetes, prediabetes, use of insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications, and diabetic retinopathy. It also provides self-reported information on awareness of risk factors for diabetes, general knowledge of diabetic complications, and medical or personal cares associated with diabetes.
All survey participants aged 1 year and older were eligible. The questions asked varied by age and history of diabetes. Please refer to check items in the diabetes questionnaire and corresponding codebook for question-specific details about the eligible target group.
These questions were asked, in the home, by trained interviewers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system. Hand cards showing response categories were also used for some questions. When necessary, household interviewers read the hand cards to respondents. Participants 16 years of age and older and emancipated minors were interviewed directly. A proxy provided information for survey participants who were under 16 years of age and for participants who could not answer the questions themselves.
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.
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.
DID040: How old when a doctor first told you that you had diabetes?
All responses of age 80 years and older are coded as 80, to be consistent with the coding for the participant age variable in the demographics file. Also, the onset of diabetes at age less than 1 year was coded as 666.
DID060: For how long have you been taking insulin?
Taking insulin less than 1 month was coded as 666.
DIQ175A--DIQ175W: Why do you think you are at risk for diabetes/prediabetes?
The variables DIQ175A--DIQ175U were corresponding to each response category in the hand card. The variables DIQ175V (Craving for sweet/eating a lot of sugar) and DIQ175W (Medication) were created based on other specified responses.
DID250: How many times have you seen doctor in the past 12 months?
The value was coded as 0 for participants who reported “None.”
DID260: How often do you check your blood for glucose or sugar?
This variable was coded as 0 for participants who reported “Never.”
DID320: What was your most recent LDL cholesterol number?
This variable was coded as 5555 and 6666 for participants who reported “Never heard of LDL” and “Never had cholesterol test” respectively.
DID310S/D: What does doctor say your blood pressure should be?
DID330: What does doctor say your LDL cholesterol should be?
If a participant reported “Provider did not specify goal,” the value of corresponding variable was coded as 6666.
DID341: During the past 12 months, how many times has a doctor checked your feet for any sores or irritations?
The value was coded as 0 for participants who reported “None.”
DID350: How often do you check your feet for sores or irritation?
The value was coded as 0 for participants who reported “None.”
In the 2011–2012 data, the core questions for the diabetes component, including doctor diagnosed diabetes, duration of diabetes, insulin use, oral diabetic medication, and diabetic retinopathy are similar to the 1999–2010 publicly release data. Questions about the participants’ knowledge of their own levels of A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol and knowledge of appropriate target levels, as suggested by their physicians, are similar to the 2005-2008 public release data. The responses to these questions reflect the participants’ knowledge and may not be biologically reasonable. New questions “Why participants feel they may be at risk for diabetes” were first collected during the 2011-2012 survey.
When combining DIQ data from different survey cycles, please note that there is a possible name change for the same question across survey cycles due to data processing and editing. The following cross reference table shows these variable names through the 2011-2012 data.
Label | 1999–2000 | 2001–2004 | 2005–2008 | 2009–2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Age when first told you had diabetes | DIQ040G | DID040G | DID040 | DID040 |
Number of years of age | DIQ040Q | DID040Q | NA | NA |
How long taking insulin | DIQ060G | DID060G | DID060 | DID060 |
Number of mos/yrs taking insulin | DIQ060Q | DID060Q | NA | NA |
Take diabetic pills to lower blood sugar | DIQ070 | DIQ070 | DID070 | DIQ070 |
Past year times Dr check feet for sore | NA | NA | DID340 | DID341 |
Questions about whether the participant was told to control weight, increase physical activity, and reduce fat and whether the participant was now doing these activities are in the Medical Condition Section (MCQ_G) in the 2011-2012 survey.
Label | DIQ_D (2005-2006) and DIQ_E (2007-2008) | MCQ_G (2011-2012) |
---|---|---|
Past yr told control weight | DIQ190A | MCQ365A |
Past yr told increase physical activity | DIQ190B | MCQ365B |
Past yr told reduce fat/calories in diet | DIQ190C | MCQ365D |
Are you controlling weight | DIQ200A | MCQ370A |
Are you increasing physical activity | DIQ200B | MCQ370B |
Are you reducing fat/calories in diet | DIQ200C | MCQ370D |
The analysis of NHANES 2011–2012 diabetes questionnaire data must be conducted using the appropriate survey design variables, sample weights, and the basic demographic variables. Interview weights should only be used if questionnaire data are analyzed by themselves. However, if DIQ data are merged with the MEC examination data or laboratory data, the MEC examination weights should be used for analyses. If DIQ data are merged with laboratory sub-sample data, sub-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.
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 708 | 708 | |
2 | No | 8524 | 9232 | DIQ159 |
3 | Borderline | 125 | 9357 | DIQ159 |
7 | Refused | 1 | 9358 | DIQ159 |
9 | Don't know | 5 | 9363 | DIQ159 |
. | Missing | 1 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 to 78 | Range of Values | 684 | 684 | |
80 | 80 years or older | 12 | 696 | |
666 | Less than 1 year | 5 | 701 | |
777 | Refused | 0 | 701 | |
999 | Don't know | 7 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 245 | 245 | |
2 | No | 5748 | 5993 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 5994 | |
9 | Don't know | 6 | 6000 | |
. | Missing | 3364 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 772 | 772 | |
2 | No | 5335 | 6107 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 6108 | |
9 | Don't know | 16 | 6124 | |
. | Missing | 3240 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 1562 | 1562 | |
2 | No | 4494 | 6056 | DIQ180 |
7 | Refused | 1 | 6057 | DIQ180 |
9 | Don't know | 67 | 6124 | DIQ180 |
. | Missing | 3240 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Family history | 1165 | 1165 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 1165 | |
99 | Don't know | 2 | 1167 | |
. | Missing | 8197 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Overweight | 458 | 458 | |
. | Missing | 8906 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
12 | Age | 103 | 103 | |
. | Missing | 9261 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
13 | Poor diet | 296 | 296 | |
. | Missing | 9068 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Race | 114 | 114 | |
. | Missing | 9250 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
15 | Had a baby weighed over 9 lbs. at birth | 23 | 23 | |
. | Missing | 9341 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
16 | Lack of physical activity | 174 | 174 | |
. | Missing | 9190 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
17 | High blood pressure | 156 | 156 | |
. | Missing | 9208 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
18 | High blood sugar | 52 | 52 | |
. | Missing | 9312 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
19 | High cholesterol | 95 | 95 | |
. | Missing | 9269 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Hypoglycemic | 20 | 20 | |
. | Missing | 9344 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
21 | Extreme hunger | 52 | 52 | |
. | Missing | 9312 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
22 | Tingling/numbness in hands or feet | 88 | 88 | |
. | Missing | 9276 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
23 | Blurred vision | 58 | 58 | |
. | Missing | 9306 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
24 | Increased fatigue | 81 | 81 | |
. | Missing | 9283 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 | Anyone could be at risk | 79 | 79 | |
. | Missing | 9285 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
26 | Doctor warning | 95 | 95 | |
. | Missing | 9269 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
27 | Other, specify | 28 | 28 | |
. | Missing | 9336 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
28 | Gestational diabetes | 21 | 21 | |
. | Missing | 9343 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
29 | Frequent urination | 38 | 38 | |
. | Missing | 9326 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
30 | Thirst | 35 | 35 | |
. | Missing | 9329 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 | Craving for sweet/eating a lot of sugar | 15 | 15 | |
. | Missing | 9349 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
32 | Medication | 7 | 7 | |
. | Missing | 9357 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 2575 | 2575 | |
2 | No | 3381 | 5956 | |
7 | Refused | 1 | 5957 | |
9 | Don't know | 167 | 6124 | |
. | Missing | 3240 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 213 | 213 | |
2 | No | 9149 | 9362 | DIQ065 |
7 | Refused | 1 | 9363 | DIQ065 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 9363 | DIQ065 |
. | Missing | 1 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 56 | Range of Values | 207 | 207 | |
666 | Less than 1 month | 2 | 209 | |
777 | Refused | 0 | 209 | |
999 | Don't know | 4 | 213 | |
. | Missing | 9151 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Months | 26 | 26 | |
2 | Years | 181 | 207 | |
. | Missing | 9157 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 546 | 546 | |
2 | No | 529 | 1075 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 1075 | |
9 | Don't know | 3 | 1078 | |
. | Missing | 8286 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 year ago or less | 291 | 291 | |
2 | More than 1 year ago but no more than 2 years ago | 53 | 344 | |
3 | More than 2 years ago but no more than 5 years ago | 72 | 416 | |
4 | More than 5 years ago | 69 | 485 | |
5 | Never | 221 | 706 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 706 | |
9 | Don't know | 2 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 535 | 535 | |
2 | No | 173 | 708 | DID260 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 708 | DID260 |
9 | Don't know | 0 | 708 | DID260 |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 200 | Range of Values | 522 | 522 | |
0 | None | 13 | 535 | |
7777 | Refused | 0 | 535 | |
9999 | Don't know | 0 | 535 | |
. | Missing | 8829 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 30 | Range of Values | 571 | 571 | |
0 | Never | 131 | 702 | |
777 | Refused | 0 | 702 | |
999 | Don't know | 5 | 707 | |
. | Missing | 8657 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Per day | 352 | 352 | |
2 | Per week | 142 | 494 | |
3 | Per month | 47 | 541 | |
4 | Per year | 30 | 571 | |
. | Missing | 8793 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 434 | 434 | |
2 | No | 168 | 602 | DIQ295 |
7 | Refused | 0 | 602 | DIQ295 |
9 | Don't know | 106 | 708 | DIQ295 |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 to 36 | Range of Values | 249 | 249 | |
777 | Refused | 3 | 252 | |
999 | Don't know | 182 | 434 | |
. | Missing | 8930 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Less than 6 | 131 | 131 | |
2 | Less than 7 | 109 | 240 | |
3 | Less than 8 | 16 | 256 | |
4 | Less than 9 | 6 | 262 | |
5 | Less than 10 | 1 | 263 | |
6 | Provider did not specify goal | 83 | 346 | |
77 | Refused | 0 | 346 | |
99 | Don't know | 88 | 434 | |
. | Missing | 8930 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
63 to 220 | Range of Values | 418 | 418 | |
7777 | Refused | 6 | 424 | |
9999 | Don't know | 284 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
25 to 250 | Range of Values | 404 | 404 | |
7777 | Refused | 5 | 409 | |
9999 | Don't know | 299 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 to 190 | Range of Values | 245 | 245 | |
6666 | Provider did not specify goal | 322 | 567 | |
7777 | Refused | 1 | 568 | |
9999 | Don't know | 140 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 to 140 | Range of Values | 235 | 235 | |
6666 | Provider did not specify goal | 322 | 557 | |
7777 | Refused | 1 | 558 | |
9999 | Don't know | 150 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
18 to 300 | Range of Values | 83 | 83 | |
5555 | Never heard of LDL | 96 | 179 | DID341 |
6666 | Never had cholesterol test | 60 | 239 | DID341 |
7777 | Refused | 6 | 245 | |
9999 | Don't know | 463 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 to 268 | Range of Values | 55 | 55 | |
6666 | Provider did not specify goal | 214 | 269 | |
7777 | Refused | 6 | 275 | |
9999 | Don't know | 277 | 552 | |
. | Missing | 8812 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 365 | Range of Values | 492 | 492 | |
0 | None | 210 | 702 | |
7777 | Refused | 0 | 702 | |
9999 | Don't know/not sure | 3 | 705 | |
. | Missing | 8659 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 30 | Range of Values | 570 | 570 | |
0 | None | 134 | 704 | |
7777 | Refused | 0 | 704 | |
9999 | Don't know | 1 | 705 | |
. | Missing | 8659 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Per day | 381 | 381 | |
2 | Per week | 136 | 517 | |
3 | Per month | 41 | 558 | |
4 | Per year | 12 | 570 | |
. | Missing | 8794 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Less than 1 month | 79 | 79 | |
2 | 1-12 months | 364 | 443 | |
3 | 13-24 months | 109 | 552 | |
4 | Greater than 2 years | 98 | 650 | |
5 | Never | 54 | 704 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 704 | |
9 | Don't know | 4 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |
Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Yes | 140 | 140 | |
2 | No | 563 | 703 | |
7 | Refused | 0 | 703 | |
9 | Don't know | 5 | 708 | |
. | Missing | 8656 | 9364 |