How is NCI supporting the NHANES?

We provided funds to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to support modules in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that are critical to our risk factor monitoring mission. These modules included the Food Frequency Questionnaire (formerly called Food Propensity Questionnaire) and a wearable physical activity monitor both of which were incorporated in the NHANES from 2003 - 2006. The FFQ data can be used to help estimate usual dietary intakes, and the physical activity monitors provide a much-needed objective assessment of this important risk factor (see Physical Activity).

More recently, NCI has been working with NCHS to add a dietary screener to the NHANES 2009-10.

We also have worked with NCHS to develop a series of Web-based tutorials to encourage and support analyses of NHANES data. NCI led the development of the dietary tutorial and will lead development of the physical activity tutorial.