National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: estimation procedures, 2007-2010

Abstract

Background: Data collection for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), comprises three levels: an initial household screening interview (or ''screener''), an in-home personal interview, and a physical examination. The primary objective of the screener is to determine whether any household members are eligible for the interview and examination. Eligibility is determined by preset selection probabilities for the desired demographic subdomains. After an eligible sample person is selected, the in-home interview collects person-level demographic, health, and nutrition information, as well as information about the household. The examination includes physical measurements such as blood pressure, a dental examination, and the collection of blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing.

Objectives: This report provides background for the NHANES program and summarizes the sample design specifications for the 2007-2010 survey cycle. Estimation procedures are then presented, including the methods used to calculate survey weights for the full sample and for examination subsamples, as well as guidelines for combining 2-year weights for the analysis of multiyear data. Finally, the appropriate variance estimation methods are described. The sample selection methods, survey content, data collection procedures, and methods for assessing nonsampling errors are documented elsewhere.