Survey
description The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) was conducted on
a nationwide probability sample of approximately 32,000 persons 1-74 years of age. The
NHANES I sample was selected so that certain population groups thought to be at high risk
of malnutrition (persons with low incomes, preschool children, women of childbearing age,
and the elderly) were oversampled at preset rates. On completion of the survey, 31,973
sample persons had been interviewed; of these, 23,808 people were examined. Adjusted
sampling weights were computed within 60 age-sex-race categories in order to inflate the
sample so as to closely reflect the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 1-74
years of age at the midpoint of the survey.
Although a major emphasis of NHANES I was on nutrition and some limited aspects of health,
a subset of 3,854 persons 25-74 years of age received a more detailed health examination.
No oversampling of subgroups of the population was done in this subsample, as it had been
for the major nutrition component. This subsample is representative of the U.S. population
25-74 years of age at the midpoint of NHANES I. After the nutrition survey was completed,
the detailed medical examination was given to adults 25-74 years of age. This portion of
the survey is referred to as the NHANES I Augmentation and was continued through October
1975, bringing the total number of persons who received a detailed examination to 6,913.
Data file description Data tapes from NHANES I
are organized by subject matter. The data files comprising the NHANES I include a number
of demographic and socioeconomic variables on each tape, including age, gender, race,
ethnicity, income, education, and marital status.
Biochemistry,
serology, hematology, peripheral blood slide, and urinary findings, ages 1-74 years (Tape
no. 4800)
Demographic characteristics. Results of 24 hematological, blood chemistry, serological,
and urine laboratory tests. Responses to questions relevant to the interpretation of the
tests. Computer
measurements and interpretations of electrocardiograms, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4140)
Demographic characteristics. Computer measurements and interpretations of
electrocardiograms. Data were gathered for persons who received the detailed medical
examination during NHANES I and the NHANES I Augmentation. Dental,
ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4235)
Demographic characteristics. Results of a standardized dental examination by staff
dentists focusing on dental health status, treatment needs, and occlusion. Derived indexes
of dental health are also included. Dermatology,
ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4151)
Demographic characteristics. Results of a complete clinical examination of the skin and
subcutaneous tissue that considered normal variations in texture, certain manifestations
of aging, and all pathologic changes; results of tissue biopsies, Tzanck smears, and
cultures documenting significant diagnoses; estimates of light exposure experienced and
actinic damage; occupational contactants and allergens; judgments of discomfort and
disability from hand, foot, or generalized skin problems; and information concerning care
sought and adequacy of care received. Dietary
frequency and adequacy, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4701)
Demographic characteristics. Food frequency data and total nutrient intake from the
24-hour recall dietary interview. This total nutrient intake is then expressed as a
percent of the dietary standards employed in NHANES I in an attempt to assess dietary
adequacy. Dietary
frequency and adequacy, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4701)
Demographic characteristics. Food frequency data and total nutrient intake from the
24-hour recall dietary interview. This total nutrient intake is then expressed as a
percent of the dietary standards employed in NHANES I in an attempt to assess dietary
adequacy. General
well-being and the CES-D depression scale developed by the National Institute of Mental
Health, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4171)
Demographic characteristics. General well-being schedule and CES-D (Center for
Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), including responses to questions about feeling of
well-being (during the month prior to examination), depression, and past psychiatric care.
Data were gathered for sample persons who received the detailed medical examination during
NHANES I and the NHANES I Augmentation. Health
care needs, general medical history, sample person supplement, and respiratory and
cardiovascular supplements, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4091)
Demographic characteristics. Information from five questionnaires: (1) Health Care Needs,
(2) General Medical History, (3) Sample Person Supplement, (4) Cardiovascular Supplement,
and (5) Respiratory Supplement. Responses to questions about hearing; vision;
hypertension; dental, diabetic, arthritic, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions; and
frequency, nature, insurance, and payment for health care. Data were gathered for 6,913
sample persons aged 25-74 years who received the detailed medical examination during
NHANES I and the NHANES I Augmentation. Medical
examination, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4233)
Demographic characteristics. Results of a standardized medical examination given by the
survey staff physicians that focused primarily on clinical signs of nutritional
deficiencies. Also includes findings from the subsample of adults ages 25-74 years who
were given a more detailed examination with an emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory,
and musculoskeletal systems; and the ear, nose, and throat. Medical
history questionnaire, ages 1-11 years (Tape no. 4067)
Demographic characteristics. Information from infant and child medical histories,
including responses to questions about breast feeding, immunizations, early development,
and various medical conditions on 4,972 children aged 1-11 years who were examined during
NHANES I. Medical
history questionnaire, ages 1-11 years (Tape no. 4067)
Demographic characteristics. Information from infant and child medical histories,
including responses to questions about breast feeding, immunizations, early development,
and various medical conditions on 4,972 children aged 1-11 years who were examined during
NHANES I. Model
gram and nutrient composition (Tape nos. 4702 and 4703)
Model gram tape--3,500 food items with food groups; food codes; alphanumeric descriptions;
preferred food model codes; and gram conversion factors. Nutrient composition tape--the
actual nutrient analysis in 100-gram edible portions of all foods listed in the model gram
tape. These tapes are essentially an interpretive tool for use as input to a computer
analysis of NHANES I 24-hour recall. Gram conversion factors and nutrient composition
information for approximately 3,500 foods used in dietary intake analysis of NHANES I
data. Near
and distant vision, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4163)
Demographic characteristics. Results from a near-and-distance vision screening
examination. Data were gathered for sample persons examined from July 1974 to October 1975
during the NHANES I Augmentation. Ophthalmology,
ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4161)
Demographic characteristics. Ocular histories, including previously known eye disorders or
previous eye surgery. Standardized eye examination with certain components of the
examination given to people of different ages. Data were gathered on a subsample of 10,127
sample persons examined at the first 35 locations of NHANES I. Pulmonary
diffusion, TB, chest x-ray planimetry, heart size, and lung and heart pathology, ages
25-74 years (Tape no. 4251)
Demographic characteristics. Results of single-breath carbon monoxide diffusion studies,
tuberculin skin tests, and readings of chest x-rays for each sample person. Spirometry
best trials only, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4250)
Demographic characteristics. Results of a five or more trial set Forded Expiratory
Spirogram. This test provided measures of respiratory performance and capacity. 24-hour
food consumption intake, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4704)
Demographic characteristics. Information on specific food items and quantities ingested
for all regular meals and between-meal foods or snacks consumed on the day (midnight to
midnight) preceding the interview for each sample person. Because of the survey design,
the recall period did not generally include Saturday or Sunday. Data were collected for
20,749 sample persons.
Near and distant vision, ages 25-74 years (Tape
no. 4163)
500
4,000
3,059
Ophthalmology, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4161)
650
3,900
10,127
Pulmonary diffusion, TB, chest x-ray planimetry,
heart size, and lung and heart pathology, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4251)
650
6,500
6,913
Spirometry best trials only, ages 25-74 (Tape
no. 4250)
525
3,675
6,913
24-hour food consumption intake, ages 1-74 years
(Tape no. 4704)
375
3,750
371,889
Geographic
coverage The NHANES I included the
civilian noninstitutionalized population of the conterminous United States.
Data
availability Data from both the main nutrition component and the augmentation portion of NHANES I
are available for 1971-75. The survey started in April 1971; the nutrition component and
some general health components were completed in June 1974. Data from this study are only
available on tape. Updated radiographic absorptiometry bone
density data are avalable on diskette.
Data tapes from the
HHANES can only be purchased through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The NTIS order numbers are as
follows:
Data on tape
Title
NTIS
Order no.
Price
Anthropometry, goniometry, skeletal age, bone
density, and cortical thickness, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4111)
PB-295908
$265.00
Arthritis, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4121)
PB-296018
265.00
Audiometric test, ages 25-74 years (Tape no.
4241)
PB-297337
265.00
Biochemistry, serology, hematology, peripheral
blood slide, and urinary findings, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4800)
PB-297344
265.00
Computer measuremens and interpretations of
electrocardiograms, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4140)
PB80-168222
265.00
Dental, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4235)
PB-296023
265.00
Dermatology, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4151)
PB80-130255
265.00
Dietary frequency and adequacy, ages 1-74 years
(Tape no. 4701)
PB-295906
265.00
General well-being and the CES-D depression
scale developed by the National Institute of Mental Health, ages 25-74 years (Tape no.
4171)
PB-296020
265.00
Health care needs, general medical history,
sample person supplement, and respiratory and cardiovascular supplements, ages 25-74 years
(Tape no. 4091)
PB-296029
265.00
Medical examination, ages 1-74 years (Tape no.
4233)
PB-296035
265.00
Medical history questionnaire, ages 1-11 years
(Tape no. 4067)
PB-296031
265.00
Medical history questionnaire, ages 12-74 years
(Tape no. 4081)
PB-296073
265.00
Model gram and nutrient composition (Tape Nos.
4702 and 4703)
PB-296027
395.00
Near and distant vision, ages 25-74 (Tape No.
4163)
PB-295910
265.00
Ophthalmology, ages 1-74 years (Tape no. 4161)
PB-296033
265.00
Pulmonary diffusion, TB, chest x-ray planimetry,
heart size, and lung and heart pathology, ages 25-74 years (Tape no. 4251)
PB87-126009
265.00
Spirometry best trials only, ages 25-74 years
(Tape no. 4250)
PB80-145931
265.00
24-hour food consumption intake, ages 1-74 years
(Tape no. 4704)
PB-297339
645.00
Documentation
contents
Data tape documentation packages contain a brief description of NHANES I, general notes on
the specific subject matter of the tape, and brief statements about the use of NHANES I
data, including discussion of possible sources of error and variance estimation
procedures. Sampling weights are included in the demographic section of the data tapes.
Detailed notes explain certain items that are not self-explanatory or not documented
elsewhere.
A detailed description of the design and operation of NHANES I is provided in Vital
and Health Statistics Series 1, Nos. 10a, 10b, and 14, in which the contents of NHANES I
are described in detail and the rationale and purpose for the inclusion of various
components of the examination are discussed. A few reports that contain results from
NHANES I are available in Vital and Health Statistics, Series 11, and in selected Advance
Data reports
Contacts
For publications and electronic data products from NHANES: call (301) 458-4636 or NTIS or
GPO.
Technical questions about
the file contact:
Division of Health Examination Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road
Hyattsville, Maryland 20782-2003
(301) 458-4567