National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2011-2012 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Weight History - Youth (WHQMEC_G)

Data File: WHQMEC_G.xpt

First Published: March 2014

Last Revised: NA

Component Description

The Weight History section of the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) Interview (variable name prefix WHQMEC) provides personal interview data on topics related to body weight in adolescents 8-15 years of age. These topics include self-perception of weight, reasons for losing weight, and methods used to lose weight.

Eligible Sample

The target sample for the questions in this section is adolescents, age 8-15 years. Frequency counts were verified during the preparation of the file.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The questions were asked at the MEC, by trained interviewers, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system as part of the MEC interview. Proxy respondents were not permitted for this section.

For details on the administration of the Weight History 8-15 years (WHQMEC_G) section, please refer to the NHANES 20011-12 MEC Interviewers Procedures Manual and the 2011-2012 Weight History 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.

For details on the quality assurance/quality control process for this component, please refer to the NHANES 2011-12 MEC Interviewer Procedures Manual on NHANES website

Data Processing and Editing

The WHQ511 responses 22 (I don’t want to be fat) and 23 (I want to be skinny) were collapsed into the new category WHQ510P 26 (I want to be skinny/I don’t want to be fat/because I’m overweight or obese).

WHQ510 30 (Other [specify]) responses such as “Because I’m fat” and “I don’t want to be heavy” were also recoded as WHQ510P 26.

Frequency counts were verified during the preparation of the file.
To provide multiple years of data for analysis, responses to WHQ510M 22 and WHQ510O 25 in the WHQMEC_D data file can be recoded as WHQ150P 26 in order to be comparable to the category WHQ510P 26 in the WHQMEC_E, WHQMEC_F and WHQMEC_G data files.

Responses to WHQ030m, which asks if adolescents consider themselves now to be fat or overweight, too thin, or about the right weight, can be compared with proxy responses to WHQ030e in the Early Childhood Questionnaire (ECQ) section.

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.

Analytic Notes

To provide 6 years of data for analysis, responses to WHQ510M (22) and WHQ510O (25) in the WHQMEC_D data file can be recoded as WHQ150P (26) in order to be comparable to the category WHQ510P (26) in the WHQMEC_E and WHQMEC_F data file.

Responses to WHQ030m, which asks if adolescents consider themselves now to be fat or overweight, too thin, or about the right weight, can be compared with proxy responses to WHQ030e in the Early Childhood (ECQ) questionnaire section.

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 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

WHQ030M - How do you consider your weight

Variable Name:: WHQ030M
SAS Label:: How do you consider your weight
English Text:: Do you consider yourself now to be . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	fat or overweight,	236	236
2	too thin, or	122	358
3	about the right weight?	1037	1395
7	refused	0	1395
9	don't know	1	1396
.	Missing	64	1460

WHQ500 - Trying to do about weight

Variable Name:: WHQ500
SAS Label:: Trying to do about weight
English Text:: Which of the following are you trying to do about your weight:
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
1	lose weight,	517	517
2	gain weight,	169	686	WHQ520
3	stay the same weight, or	397	1083	WHQ520
4	not trying to do anything about your weight?	312	1395	WHQ520
7	Refused	0	1395	WHQ520
9	Don't know	0	1395	WHQ520
.	Missing	65	1460

WHQ510A - Want to look better

Variable Name:: WHQ510A
SAS Label:: Want to look better
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
10	I want to look better	180	180
77	Refused	1	181
99	Don't know	0	181
.	Missing	1279	1460

WHQ510B - Want to be healthier

Variable Name:: WHQ510B
SAS Label:: Want to be healthier
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
11	I want to be healthier	306	306
.	Missing	1154	1460

WHQ510C - Want to be better at sports

Variable Name:: WHQ510C
SAS Label:: Want to be better at sports
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
12	I want to be better at sports and other physical activities	184	184
.	Missing	1276	1460

WHQ510D - Get teased about my weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510D
SAS Label:: Get teased about my weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
13	I get teased about my weight	52	52
.	Missing	1408	1460

WHQ510E - Think my clothes will fit better

Variable Name:: WHQ510E
SAS Label:: Think my clothes will fit better
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
14	I think my clothes will fit better	74	74
.	Missing	1386	1460

WHQ510F - Think boys will like me better

Variable Name:: WHQ510F
SAS Label:: Think boys will like me better
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
15	I think boys will like me better	18	18
.	Missing	1442	1460

WHQ510G - Think girls will like me better

Variable Name:: WHQ510G
SAS Label:: Think girls will like me better
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
16	I think girls will like me better	28	28
.	Missing	1432	1460

WHQ510H - Friends are trying to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510H
SAS Label:: Friends are trying to lose weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
17	My friends are trying to lose weight	12	12
.	Missing	1448	1460

WHQ510I - Someone in family trying to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510I
SAS Label:: Someone in family trying to lose weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
18	Someone in my family is trying to lose weight	30	30
.	Missing	1430	1460

WHQ510J - Mother/father wants me to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510J
SAS Label:: Mother/father wants me to lose weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
19	My mother or father wants me to lose weight	62	62
.	Missing	1398	1460

WHQ510K - Teacher/coach wants me to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510K
SAS Label:: Teacher/coach wants me to lose weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
20	My teacher or coach wants me to lose weight	9	9
.	Missing	1451	1460

WHQ510L - Health professional wants me lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ510L
SAS Label:: Health professional wants me lose weight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
21	A doctor, nurse, or other health professional wants me to lose weight	35	35
.	Missing	1425	1460

WHQ510P - Want to be skinny/because I'm overweight

Variable Name:: WHQ510P
SAS Label:: Want to be skinny/because I'm overweight
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
26	I want to be skinny / I don't want to be fat / because I'm overweight or obese	36	36
.	Missing	1424	1460

WHQ510N - Want to feel good/better about self

Variable Name:: WHQ510N
SAS Label:: Want to feel good/better about self
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
24	I want to feel good/better about myself	10	10
.	Missing	1450	1460

WHQ510U - Other reason

Variable Name:: WHQ510U
SAS Label:: Other reason
English Text:: Why are you trying to lose weight?
English Instructions:: (Check all that apply). HAND CARD WHQ1.
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative	Skip to Item
30	Other reason	0	0
.	Missing	1460	1460

WHQ520 - How often tried to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ520
SAS Label:: How often tried to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you tried to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	637	637
2	sometimes, or	593	1230
3	a lot?	163	1393
7	Refused	0	1393
9	Don't know	2	1395
.	Missing	65	1460

WHQ530 - Been on a diet to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ530
SAS Label:: Been on a diet to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you been on a diet to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	429	429
2	sometimes, or	281	710
3	a lot?	47	757
7	Refused	0	757
9	Don't know	1	758
.	Missing	702	1460

WHQ540 - Starved to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ540
SAS Label:: Starved to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you starved (not eaten) for a day or more to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	594	594
2	sometimes, or	146	740
3	a lot?	16	756
7	Refused	0	756
9	Don't know	1	757
.	Missing	703	1460

WHQ550 - Cut back on eating to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ550
SAS Label:: Cut back on eating to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you cut back on what you ate to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	229	229
2	sometimes, or	435	664
3	a lot?	88	752
7	Refused	0	752
9	Don't know	5	757
.	Missing	703	1460

WHQ560 - Skipped meals to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ560
SAS Label:: Skipped meals to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you skipped meals to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	438	438
2	sometimes, or	272	710
3	a lot?	46	756
7	Refused	0	756
9	Don't know	1	757
.	Missing	703	1460

WHQ570 - Exercised to lose weight

Variable Name:: WHQ570
SAS Label:: Exercised to lose weight
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you exercised to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	59	59
2	sometimes, or	377	436
3	a lot?	321	757
7	Refused	0	757
9	Don't know	0	757
.	Missing	703	1460

WHQ580 - Eaten less sweets or fatty foods

Variable Name:: WHQ580
SAS Label:: Eaten less sweets or fatty foods
English Text:: In the past year, how often have you eaten less sweets or fatty foods to lose weight? Would you say . . .
Target:: Both males and females 8 YEARS - 15 YEARS

Code or Value	Value Description	Count	Cumulative
1	never,	133	133
2	sometimes, or	496	629
3	a lot?	127	756
7	Refused	0	756
9	Don't know	1	757
.	Missing	703	1460

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