The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) provide a comprehensive assessment of the health and nutritional status of the United States population. Policy makers and researchers require NHANES dietary data to assess the quality and adequacy of the U.S. diet in relation to health parameters; to evaluate the impact of program changes including welfare reform, legislation, food fortification policy, and child nutrition programs; and to identify target groups for public health education and awareness programs. Relationships between nutrition and health can be studied for the total US population and several population subgroups such as African Americans, Mexican Americans, adolescents and older persons. Beginning with NHANES 1999, survey data will be collected in a continuous manner; annual, national samples of the U.S. population will be studied. The nutrition assessment data are collected using personal interviews and physical examinations. The personal interviews include a 24-hour dietary recall and detailed questions related to diet behavior, food program participation, food security, physical activity, and medical history. Data from these interviews are used to derive daily nutrient intakes from food and dietary supplements. The physical examination component includes other health components, such as anthropometric measurements, hematological and biochemical assessments, and medical and dental examinations. The nutritional assessment feature of the current NHANES will be discussed in this presentation, including descriptions of data collection methods, data processing, and quality control procedures.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Nutrition, Health Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.