Plan and Operation of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

A new report, Plan and Operation of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988 - 94, is available from the National Center for Health Statistics.

The report describes the plan and implementation of NHANES III, the largest national examination survey in the series so far.

The sample for this study of the U.S. population was selected from households in 81 counties across the United States. About 40,000 persons 2 months of age and over were selected, including large samples of both young and old persons. About 12,000 of the sample persons were black Americans, 12,000 were Mexican Americans, and the remaining 16,000 were of all other race and ethnicity groups. All selected persons were asked to complete an extensive interview and were examined in a large mobile examination center. The survey period is 1988-94, consisting of two phases of equal length and sample size. Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 were random samples of the U.S. population living in households.

The report tells how the health of population subgroups of interest was assessed and monitored. It has information on special topics, including environmental and occupational health and the assessment of health care coverage and needs.

There is a brief account of the data collected by examination and interview for each of the major target conditions and physiological measurements. Data were collected on dietary intake and nutritional status, anthropometric measurements, reproductive history and sexual behaviors, use of vitamin and mineral supplements and medications, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the U.S. Government Printing Office. The stock number is 017-022-01260-0, price is $25.00.

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007