-.—- . . . ,

.-,... .

m

Basii D- From

Wave 1of the

N~bnal Survey

Personal Health

Practicesand

Consequences:

of

United States, 1979

Statistics are presented for the U.S. civil ian

noninstitutional ized population ages 20-64

years on personal health practices, selfperceived health status, health care utilization, social support, psychological wellbeing, occupation-related health factors, life

events, and selected sociodemographic characteristics. These statistics are based on data

collected in the National Survey of Personal

Health Practices and Consequences, Wave 1,

1979.

Data From the National Health Suwey

Series 15, No. 2

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 81-1163

U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services

Public Health service

Office of Health Research, Statistics,

and Technology

National Canter for Health Statistics

Hyattsville, Md.

August 1981
Library of CongraaaCataloging in Publication Data

Schoenborn, Charlotte A.

Basic data from Wave I of the National Survey of Personal Health

Practices and Consequences.

(Vital and health statistics. Series 15 ; no. 2) (DHHS publication ;

no. (PHS) 81-1 163)

, Incksdes bibliographical references.

1. Health status indicatora-United States. 2. Health behavior–

United States–Statistics. 3. Health surveys-United States. 1. Danchik,

Kathleen M. II. Elinson, Jack. I Il. National Cantar for Health Statistics

(U.S.) IV. Title. V. Serias: Vital and health statistics. Series 15, Data

from the national health survey ; no. 2. VI. Series: DHHS publication ;

no. (PHS) 81-1163.

RA407.3 .S36 614.4’273 81-11274

ISBN 0-8406-0230-6 AACR2

—— -.

For sale by the Superintendent of I)ocwments. U.S. Goycrumexlt Priutinx Ottice. Washington, DC 204[)2
National Center for Health Statistics

DOROTHY P. RICE, Director

ROBERT A. ISMEL, Deputy Director

JACOB J. FELDMAN, Ph.D., Associate Directorfor Analysis

and Epidemiology

GAIL F. FISHER, Ph.D., Associate Directorfor the

CooperativeHealthStatistics System

GAIUUE J. LOSEE, Associkte Directorfor Data l%ocessing

and Services

ALVAN O. ZARATE, Ph.D., Assistant Directorfor

InternationalStatistics

E. EARL BRYANT, Assoctite Directorfor Interview and

ExaminationStatistics

ROBERT C. HUBER, AssoczizteDzYectorfor Management

MONROE G. SIRKEN, Ph.D., Assoctite Directorfor Research

and Methodology

PETER L. HURLEY,Associate Directorfor Vitaland Health

CizreStatistics

ALICE HAYWOOD, Information Officer

Divisionof EnvironmentalEpidemiology

RONALD W. WkLSON, Director

THOMAS F. DRURY, Ph.D., Chief HealthStatus

MeasurementBranch

Library of Congess Catalog Card Number 81-11274
Foreword

The National Survey of Personal Health Practices and and the Division of Environmental Epidemiology of the NaConsequences was a combined effort of the Office of Health tional Center for Health Statistics. Data collection was funded

Information, Health Promotion, Physical Fitness and Sports by the Office of Health Information, Health Promotion, PhysiMedicine of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Pro- cal Fitness and Sports Medicine, and the study was conducted

motion (of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health), and analyzed by the Division of Environmental Epidemiology.
. . .

. . .

0.0

z

*

#

Symbols

Data not available

Category not applicable

Quantity zero

Quantity more than zero but less than

0.05

Quantity more than zero but less than

500

Figure does not meet standards of

reliability or precision

Figure suppressed to comply with

confidentiality requirements

iv
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Sources andlimitations ofthedata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Scope andobjectives ofthisreport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Listofdetailedtables. . . . . . . . . . . .

Appendixes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1. Technical notesonmethods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Il. Definitions ofcertain termsusadin thisreport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

111. Selacted questionnaire items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

v
Basic Data From Wave I of the

National Survey of Personal

Health Practices and

Consequences

by Charlotte A. Schoenborn, M. P.H., Kathleen M. Danchik,

and Jack Elinson, Ph.D., Division of Environmental

Epidemiology

Introduction

This report presents data from Wave I of the National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences. It is the second report on this survey in

the Vital and Health Statistics series published by the

National Center for Health Statistics.

The stimulus for the National Survey of Personal

Health Practices and Consequences was a longitudinal

study conducted in 1965 and 1974 in Alameda

County, California, by the California State Health Department Human Population Laboratory. In that

study, an association was found between seven good

health practices and concurrent physical health status

and mortality risk.1’3 The following good health

practices were identified in the Alameda study:

1.

2.

3.

Sleeping an average of 7 to 8 hours a night.

Controlling one’s weight (if male, weighing between 5 percent under and 19.9 percent over the

deshable standard weight; if female, weighing not

more than 9.9 percent over the desirable standard

weight.

Exercising: engaging in active sports, swimming,

taking long walks, gardening, or doing physical

exercises.

4.

5.

6.

7.

.Limiting alcohol consumption to less than five

drinks at one sitting.

Never having smoked cigarettes.

Eating breakfast ahnost every day.

Seldom, if ever, eating snacks.

Persons reporting a greater number of these health

practices in 1965 were shown to have better concurrent health status and lower mortality rates than persons reporting fewer of them. Five of these practices

(excluding breakfast and snacking) remained significantly related to health status among survivors 9%

years after the 1965 survey.’$

The National Survey of Personal Health Practices

and Consequences builds upon the work of the Human Population Laboratory by looking at the health

practices and the health status of U.S. adults. Future

reports. will discuss the inten-elationships of a wide

variety of health practices, intervening variables, and

health status measures, and will present findings on

the stability of the habits and their relationship to

health status over time. This report is intended as a

reference document for persons interested in the

study of preventive health behavior, its correlates,

and its consequences, and will be particularly useful

for persons interested in using the data for their own

analyses.
Sources and limitations of the data

The National Survey of Personal Health Practices

and Consequences was conducted by the National

Center for Health Statistics to respond to a “prevem

tion initiative” undertaken by the Deputy Assistant

Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health,

Education, and Welfare in 1977-78. The thesis of the

initiative was that further improvements in the health

of the American people can and will be achieved-not

alone through increased medical care and greater

health expenditures–but through a renewed national

commitment to efforts designed to prevent disease

and to promote healths JGTo this end, specific and

quantifiable health promotion objectives for the year

1990 were established in 15 priority areas.7

The current data were needed to expand on accumulated knowledge of the relationship between

personal health practices and physical health status,

to determine the sociodemographic distribution of a

wide range of personal health practices in the U.S.

population and to investigate stability of practices

over time. Respondents were interviewed initially in

the spring of 1979 and reinterviewed one year later

with essentially the same questionnaire. Data presented in this report are based on the fiist wave of

interviews.

Data for the National Survey of Personal Health

Practices and Consequences were collected in telephone interviews of people in a national probability

sample. A random-digit dialing technique was used.

Two waves of interviews were conducted among a

panel of adult respondents 20-64 years of age. In the

spring of 1979, 3,025 Wave I interviews were successfully completed. This constituted an 8 l-percent response from the predesignated sample of potential

respondents. In the spring of 1980, 2,436 Wave II interviews were completed. This constituted an 81-

percent response from the respondents previously

interviewed in Wave I. Self-reporting was required for

all questions.

The completed sample in the National Survey of

Personal Health Practices and Consequences was composed of 40 percent men and 60 percent women. This

ratio differs from National Health Interview Survey

estimates of the proportion of adult men and women

ages 20-64 years in households with telephones,

which is approximately 47 percent and 53 percent,

respectively. Because of this difference, data in this

report are neither shown nor discussed for both sexes

combined (see appendix I).

A detailed discussion of the sample design and

limitations of the data is presented in appendix I.

Definitions of terms used in this report are provided

in appendix II.

2
Scope and objectivesof this repot-t

This report contains 10 tables pertaining to selfperceived health status, personal health practices,

health care utilization, social support, psychological

well-being, occupation-related health factors, life

events, and sociodemographic characteristics. Whenever possible, the survey questions are presented

exactly as they were asked. Where presentation of

individual questionnaire items might make interpretation difficult, a composite of a number of questions

is provided instead. These questions are found in

appendix III. A complete version of the questionnaire

is shown in Series 15, No. 1 of the Vital and Health

Statistics series reports.8

In general, the data are presented as percentages

of the total weighted number of men and women in

the sample. Where such percentages would have little

substantive meaning, as in the case of persons who

have tried to quit smoking, the most appropriate percentage base (e.g., male and female smokers) is used,

with the change footnoted and the new percentage

base shown in table III of appendix I.

The total percentage for men and women shown

at the top of each table includes persons who did not

know the answer or who refused to respond to the

question. These categories are not shown for the individual questions. The nonresponse rate for an individual item may be estimated by summing the percentages of each response category and subtracting the

total from 100 percent.

3
References

lBelloc, N. B., and Breslow, L.: Relationship of physical health

status and health practices. Prev. Med. 1(3): 409-421, 1972,

2Belloc, N. B.: Relationship of health practices and mortality.

Prev. Med. 2:67-81, 1973.

3Breslow, L., and Enstrom, J. E.: Persistence of health habits

and their relationship to mortality. Prev. Med. 9:469-483,

1980.

4Wiley, J. A., and Camacho, T. C.: Life-style and future

health: Evidence from the Alameda County Study. Prev. Med.

9:1-21, 1980.

5Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon

General: Healthy People: The Surgeon General k Report on

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, 1979. DHEW Pub.

No. (PHS) 79-55071. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S.

Government Printing Office, July 1979a.

6Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon

General: Healthy People: The Surgeon General% Report on

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention –Background Papers,

1979. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 79-55071A. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979b.

7PubIic Health Service: Promoting Health/Preventing Disease,

Objectives for the Nation. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, Fall 1980.

8National Center for Health Statistics: Highlights from Wave I

of the National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences: United States, 1979, by K. M. Danchik, C. A.

Schoenborn and J. Elinson. Vital and Health Statistics. Series

15-No, 1. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 81-1162. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1981.

‘National Health Interview Survey, 1979: Preliininary tabulations.

l%%ornberry, Jr., O. T., and Massey, J. R.: Correcting for

undercoverage bias in random digit dialed national health surveys, in 1978 Proceedings of the Section on Survey Research

Methods. San Diego, California. American Statistical Association. Annual meeting, Aug. 13-17, 1978.

11cmne~, c. F., ~d Groves, R. M.: Differences between telephone and personal interview data, First Report of Findings

HIS/SRC Telephone Experiment. Unpublished document.

12National Center for Health Statistics: Health, United States,

1978. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 78-1232. Public Health Service.

Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978.

13Nation~ Center for He~th Statistics: Health, United States,

1979. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 80-1232. Public Health Service.

Washington. U.S. Govw’nment PtWing Office, 1980.

14Metropolitan Life Insurance Company: Overwei@t: Its

prevention and significance. Statistical Bulletin, 1960.

15Society of Actuaries: Build and Blood Pressure Study,

Vol. I. Chicago. Oct. 1959.

16Wingard, D. L., Berkman. L. F., and Brand, R. J.: A Multivariate Analysis of Health Practices: A Nine-year Mortality

Follow-Up of the Alameda County Study, 1979. Unpublished

document.

4
List of detailed tables

1. Percent distribution of men and women agas 2064 years by

questionnaire items on health statux National Suwey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences, Wave 1, 1979. . . . 6

2. Percent distribution of men and women ages 20%4 years by

questionnaire items on health practices: National Survey of

Personal Health Practices and Consequences, Wava 1, 1979 . . 8

3. Percent distribution of men and women ages 20-64 years by

composite measures of health status and health practices derived from question naire items: National Su wey of Personal

Health Practices and Consequences, Wave 1, 1979 . . . . . . . 13

4. Percent distribution of men and women ages 20-64 years by

questionnaire items on haalth care utilization: National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consaquencas, Wave 1,

1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5. Percent distribution ofmenand women ages 20~4 years by

questionnaire items on social support: National Suwey of

Personal Health Practices and Consequences, Wave 1,

1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

6. Percant distribution of menandwomen ages 20-64 yaarsby

questionnaire items on psychological wall-being: National

Suwey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences,

Wavel,1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...18

7. Percent distribution of men andwomenagas 20-64 years by

composite measures of psychological problems darived from

responses to questionnaire items: National Suwayof Personal

Haalth Practices and Consequences, Wave 1, 1979 . . . . . . . 19

8. Percent distribution of employed men and women ages 20-64

years by questionnaire items on occupation-related health

factors National Suwey of Parsonal Haakh Practices and

Consequences, Wavel,1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

9. Percent distribution of men and women ages 20-64 years by

questionnaire items on life evants: National Suway of Personal Haalth Practices and Consequences, Wave 1, 1979. . . . 21

10. Per~ent distritition of men and women ages 2034 yaars by

sociodemographic characteristics: National Suway of Personal

Haalth Practices and Consequences, Wave 1,1979 22

5
Table1. Percentdistributionof men and w.menages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson healthstatus:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Healthstatusquestionnaireitemand response Men Wmen

1

53

54

51

49

61

60

59

58

real—--—--—------— __________ —-————-”——-— 100.0

Wouldyou say yourhealthis:

Excellent-------------------------------------------

—--—.---.—_______-_— _________________ —--—.—-_--_.-__-

Fair——--—--—--—--—-———--—--——-_——___________

Poor—----------—------—--—--——-——-—- — ————-—-

med to other~le yourage,wouldyou say ymr healthis:

Excellent——-—-— ---_—______,_ ________

Good—————

—

-—--— -—-—— ______________

Fair----------------------------------------------

---

mr-----------------------------------------------------

_ed to otherP=@e yourage,wculdyou sayyou have:

Muchmore energy—-—-——-——— —————

Scmewhatmore energy-———————————-——-----------

Scinewhatlessenergy-———--- —______

Much lessenergy——-—--—---—-—————-— -—-—-

Equalenergy(responsevolunteered)--——--—-——-——-———-————.——

Over thepastyearhas your healthcausedyou:

A greatdealof worry—--—-—--————— ——-——_ ———

Saneworry-—--————----—— ——-———--- ————.

Hardlyany mrry—--—--—---———

No worryat all-—---———-—-———

In general,hm satisfiedare you withyouroverallphysicalcondition?

Wouldyou say:

Very satisfied------——---———-—--——-————-——————.——.—

Scmewhatsatisfied—--—— ——--—-——

Not tco satisfied———-———————

Not at all satisfied-—-——--——-———————

How often,if ever,do you get headaches?

Never— -——--—--—_____---________, -———- —__

Less thanonce a month—- — _______________ -——

Once a month----—-—--—-——— ---—— —— ________

2-3 timesa month———---—---

Once a week--——-—-——-—-——— ——

More thanoncea week ——

HW manycolds,if any,did you have in thepast 12 months?

None-—-—--——------------ —

1

————

—-—- ——________________________________

-———-— ____________ —— -——

:——---—--— —- ——______

4

-—

———__-____,__

5 or nmre-————

Haveyou had highbloodpressureor wereymu treatedfor it duringthe leist

12 months?

Yes—-—-——————--————————

No-—-——--———————————— —-

DO you feelthatthereare thingsyou can do in youreverydaylifewhichwill

preventyou fran gettinghighbloodpressure?

Yes—————————

No--———---—-—-—-—————

39.8

43.3

13.6

2.9

35.6

47.9

12.7

2.9

24.1

56.5

12.4

:::

3.9

23.1

27.2

45.5

30.5

52.5

12.9

3.8

20.1

43.1

16.7

9.4

4.4

5.7

25.9

39.6

22.6

5.9

2.9

2.7

12.5

87.3

78.8

11.2

100.0

36.2

46.2

13.3

3.9

30.8

51.3

14.1

3.2

19.3

52.2

20.2

3.5

1.1

6.8

26.1

27.6

39.1

27.2

52.3

15.3

4.2

11.9

35.9

17.8

11.9

1;::

29.2

40.1

17.7

6.7

2.8

2.7

14.0

85.8

82.8

7.9

See footnotesat end of table.

6
Table1. Percentdistributionof m and wcmenages20-64years by questionnaireitemscm healthstatus:

NationalSurveyof PerscnalHealthPracticesandConsequences,Wave I, 1979--CCXI.

Item

number Healthstatusquesticmaireitemand response Men mnen

52 HOW mch cmtrol do you thinkyou haveoveryour futurehealth?

None at all

Very little--

sane———

A greatdeal—

62 DO you wer have any troubleor difficultywith routinephysicalactivitiessuch

as walking,usingstairsor inclines,standingor sittingfor longperiods,using

your fingersto graspor handle,or liftingor carryingsanethingheavy?

Yes————

63 Personsresponding“yes”to itein62 were furtherquestionedas follows:

DO you haveany troubleor difficultywalking?

63

63

63

63

64

Yest ~

Yes, a greatdeal—

DO you have any troubleor difficultyusingstairsor inclines?

NG

Yesr scn_e-----

Yest a greatdeal

DO ycu haveany trcubleor difficultystandingor sittingfor longperiods?

No—————”

Yes, semw

Yes, a greatdeal

DO you have any troubleor difficultyusingyour fingersto graspor handle?

No

Yes, scm.

Yes, a greatdeal

DO P haveany troubleor difficultyliftirqor carryingsanethingas heavy

as 10 punds?

N~

Yes, mw———————

Yes, a greatdeal

Duringthepast 12 months,that is, since (DATE1 YEhRi#3), abouthowmny

daysdid illnessor injurykeepyou in bed all or most of the day?

None

1-7dayS (~to lweek)

8-30daya (mre than1 week up to 1 mmth)

31-180days (mre than1 ninth,up to 6 mnths)

181 daysor more (mre than 6 months)

4.1

6.3

34.9

51.9

14.4

85.6

8.4

3.6

2.5

7.2

4.7

2.6

5.5

6.3

2.6

10.0

3.5

1.0

9.9

2.6

2.0

57.3

35.2

4.9

1.8

0.3

3.1

3;:;

50.2

25.5

74.4

1.5.9

6.5

3.0

12.4

10.2

2.8

9.7

11.7

4.0

18.1

5.6

1.8

16.5

5.4

3.5

51.5

37.5

7.3

:::

+lWll ircll%lesmknowna.

mm: A facsimileof the questionnaireis shcm in a~ndix III of Series15, No. 1 of Vital and Health

Statistics.8

7
Table2. Percentdistributionof men and wcmenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson healthpractices:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Healthpracticequestionnaireitemand response 14en Wkxnen

26 Haveyou smokedat least100 cigarettes(5packsof cigarettes)in your

entirelife?

27

31

32

35

36

39

40

38,

41

42

12Qyou smokecigarettesnow?2

On the average,how many cigarettesa day do you srmke?3

Less than.5cigarettes-——--—--—---————-———-— —-—--—-

5-14 cigarettes-—--—--—--—--——--————— —-—-——

15-24cigarettes-——--—--—---—----—--——— —--—--

25-34cigarettes-—---———--—-—--—-—-—--—-—— ——

35-44cigarettes-—---——---—————--—————--—-——————————

45 cigarettesor nxxe—---—-—-—--—--—-—--———— ——-—--—--—---

Thinkaboutthe tar or nicotinelevelof the cigarettesyou usuallysmoke.

Wouldyou say theyare:4

High tar and nicotine---------—--------—--—-—-—— --—--—--—-

Mediumtar and nimtin~------------------------------------------

LCW tar and nicotine---—--—--—--—--——---——— -——-—-----—------

~mi~ekrisqast 2 yearsdid you make a seriousattenptto stopsmoking

Yes—-— -—-—--—------—---—-——-——----—-—--—--——— ——---

No—---—--—-——--—-----——-----—————— --——-— —

Do you everdrinkany alcoholicbeverages,thatis, beer,wine,or liquor?

Yes--—-—-------—---------------—--—————————————— -——-—

No—--—--—--—--—------—--—--——-—--———-———————— ———-—-

On the average,how oftendo you drinkany alcoholicbeveragessuchas beer,

winerorliquor?5~6

Daily-------------------------------------------- —-—--—--

2-6 timesa week--——--—---——---—-—-—----— —-——--—--— --——

Once a week—-—-------—------—--—------—--—-—----—--—- ——--— --

Less thanonce a week to once a month-—-----——--—-—--——— ---------

Less thanonce a nxmth--—-------—-----——— -———-— -——--—--—---

On the da s thatyou drink, hcwmany drinks do you have per day, on the

average?.?’~6

1-2 drinks—-—------—-------——-——— ~-——-—--—- —-—--—

3-4 drinks—---—--—--—-—-——--————— —————-—-—- ——

5 drinks or mm-—--—---—--—--—--—--—————-——————

Haveyou changedyourdrinkingpatternduringthe past 2 yearsbecauseof a

specifichealth-relatedprobkn or condition?7

Yes--—--—-----———---——---—---——--———--—-———— ———-—--—

NC—--—--—------———--—--—-—--—————— —-———————_e--—-

DO you now drinknmre or less thanyou did 2 yeax ago?s

More--—--—--—-------—--—--—--—-—---- —-——-—-— -—-

&ss-------------------------------------------------------

100.0

66.2

33.7

38.8

27.4

2.2

5.1

16.1

::;

2.4

28.8

28.3

37.0

45.2

54.6

81.4

18.6

19.7

27.3

13.8

14.0

5.8

40.2

23.7

16.1

7.4

92.6

0.9

5.5

100.0

49.4

50.6

32.9

16.4

2.2

8.4

14.8

4.2

;:;

14.8

26.7

53.1

53.4

46.1

67.2

32.8

4.8

16.0

11.2

19.3

15.0

46.1

16.6

3.7

5.2

94.8

0.8

3.3

See fcotnotesat end of table.
Table2. Percentdistributionof men and wanenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson healthpractices:

NationalSurveyof Personal.HealthPracticesand Consegu~es, Wave I, 1979-C!on.

Item

number Healthpracticequestionnaireitemand response Men Wcmen

115

115

115

115

115

U6

117

117

117

117

44

Pleasetellme how oftenyou participatein theseactivities.First,hcw

oftendo you:

Go swinmingin the sumner?

Often——————-—-——_

scmetimes———————

Rare@——————

Never———-—-—-——————————————— ——

Takelong walks?

often——————

Sanetimes———————— ——-—

Rarely—-—--————— —-

Work on a physicallyactivehobbysuchas dancingor gardening?

Scmetimes————————

RareQ———————————

Never

Go joggingor running?

Often——-———-—

ScxEtimes

Rarely-———

Never——

On the averageti manymilesa weekdo you usuallyjog or run?g

Less than5 miles—

5 to 15 miles

More than15 miles

How oftendo you:

Ridea bicycle?

Often—————

ScmetimesRarely

26.8

29.9

23.8

19.4

36.7

31.0

22.0

10.2

45.0

27.4

13.7

13.9

15.9

15.7

19.o

49.2

14.6

11.9

4.6

10.1

18.3

25.8

45.8

Do calisthenicsor physicalexercise?

27.1

Sc#etimes 23.6

~~~ 19.4

Never 29.9

Participatein any otheractivesportsI haven’talreadymentioned?

Often——————— 31.5

Sanetilms 25.4

Rarely 15.1

Never 28.0

Howgwda jobdoyoufeelyou aredoixq intakingcareof yourhealth?

Fair 27.5

Poor 6.2

25.2

22.6

21.0

31.3

36.3

33.2

20.9

9.5

43.7

29.1

13.0

14.2

8.6

13.5

16.6

61.3

14.0

6.3

0.8

11.5

21.2

18.9

48.5

27.6

28.6

15.7

28.2

17.2

24.1

16.6

42.1

14.6

53.6

27.2

4.0

See footnotesat end of table.

9
Table2. Percentdistributionof men and !.anenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson healthpractices:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesandConsequences,Wave I, 1979--Con.

Item

number Healthpracticequestionnaireitemand response Men Wcmen

48

45

46

14

6

2

3

3

Do you feelthatyou get:

AS much exerciseas you n@----—--—--—--—.-—-----—____________________

Less than you ned--------------------------------------------------

How wouldyou compareyourlevelof physicalactivitywithotherpmple

yourage? Wouldyou say you are:

Muchmorephysicallyactive-------------------------------------------

Sanewhatmore active-—-—------_____--— _____________________________

Scxnewhatlessactive-—-----------—--—---——--——— --—______________

Much lessacti\,~--------------------------------------------------

Same (responsewlmteerd)-------------------------------------------

_ed top~ levelOf physical activity 2years ago, wouldyou say you

are new:

Morephysicallyactiv~----------------------------------------------

tissphysicallyactiv+--------------------------------------------

Aboutthe sm+-------------------------------------------------

Do you now consideryourselfto be:

Overweight-------------------------------------------------------

Underwight-----------------------------------------------------

Aboutaverag+-----------------------------------------------------

On the average,how many hoursof sleepdo you get eachday, that is,duringa

24-hourperiod?

6 hoursor less--------------------------------------------------

7-8 hours--------------------------------------------------------

9 hoursor more---------------------------------------------

How oftendo you eat breakfast?

Ahmst everyday-----------------------------------------------

S~tims ---------------------------------------------------

Rarelyor never-—-—---—-—--——--—---—--—--—-——-—--—--—--—-

On an averageday,hcw manycupsof coffeedo you drink?

Non~----------------------------------------------------------

Less than1 cuF-------------------------------------------------------

1-2 c~s-----------------------------------------------------------

3-4 cu~--------------------------------------------------------

5 cupsor mr*----------------------------------------------------

On an averageday how many cupsof teado you drink?

Less than1 c~---------------------------------------------------

1-2 cups—--—--—---—--—----------—-—--—------—— ——-—--—--—---

3-4 cups----------------------------------------------------

5 cupsor mor~—---—------——-—--—-—-—-—--———--—-—---—--—---

46.2

53.0

28.7

46.7

16.5

3.9

1.7

21.4

20.7

57.9

34.4

5::!

23.9

67.4

8.7

53.2

20.6

26.1

18.0

2;:2

22.9

23.5

39.3

30.8

18.8

7.6

3.1

37.0

62.1

20.3

43.5

25.1

5.7

1.7

25.6

20.0

54.4

50.3

4.6

45.0

19.3

68.6

12.1

55.9

19.8

24.3

19.2

12.2

30.1

21.2

17.0

35.1

24.8

26.4

8.9

4.5

See footnotesat end of table.
Table2. Percentdistributionof men and wcmenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemsm healthpractices:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979-Con.

Itein

number Healthpracticequestionnaireitemand response Men

3

3

3

3

5

4

17

18

On an averageday,how many glassesof milk ch you drink?

None--

Less than1 glass —— —.

1-2 glasses——-————

3-4 glasses—————

5 glassesor mr~——

on an averageday,hcwmany glassesof waterdo you drink?

Non~——

Less than1 glass-—————— _—-——

1-2 glasses-—---—-——---—--————---- — —-

3-4 glasses————————— ——-

5 glassesor mre-—-—————— .

On an averageday,hcwmny cansor bottlesof softdrinkdo you drink?

None—-—-————

Less than1 caner bottle——————— .——

1-2 cansor bottles--————————— — -—

3-4 cansor bottles—————— ——

5 or mre cansor bottles— -------

On an averageday,hcw many glassesof fruitor vegetablejuicedo you drink?

Less than 1 glass

1-2 glasses-—-——-———-- —-—--—— ——-

3-4glasses-——-—— —

5 glassesor mm ~“———-—

How often,if ever,do you takevitaminpillsor othervitamineqplements?

Wouldyou say:

Regularly —— —.—— ——-

Occasionally—-—————— —-—

Rarelyor never-————--——————— ———

DO youmke any consciouseffortto limitthe amountof red meat in yourdiet

for healthreasons?

Yes———--— -—-——.——————

N~—— -—————

Hcw oftendo you brushyourteeth?10

More than2 timesa day—

2 timesa day————- — ——

Once a day——-- ——-—

KSS thanonce a day——————-———— —-

Hcw often,if ever,do you use dentalflossor awa~ick?10

Everyday— .-—---—---—---——— -—

3-6 timesa week————-—-——-————————— —-

1-2 timesa week——— —

LSS thancnce a week-—--- — ——

Never-—---—---—---——-—---—--—-—-—-————

16.4

16.3

45.0

15.0

6.7

4.2

5.3

26.0

27.8

33.4

24.9

27.8

36.9

6.9

2.9

19.3

24.4

49.8

4.7

1.3

27.4

15.0

57.6

19.4

80.5

11.2

39.5

41.2

7.0

16.0

6.1

.s2.2

1.3.5

52.1

22.9

19.8

44.5

10.6

1.6

5.8

4.7

33.2

27.3

27.2

27.7

28.4

33.8

7.5

2.3

16.8

19.6

56.1

5.6

1.2

39.7

18.2

42.1

29.2

70.5

22.1

51.6

22.7

1.2

28.3

7.9

14.9

10.9

37.8

See footnotesat end of table.

11
Table2. Percentdistributionof men and wc.menages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson healthpractices:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesandConsequences,Wave I, 1979-Con.

Item

number Healthpracticequestionnaireitemand response Men Rbmen

43 How oftendo you use seatbeltswhenyou ride in a car?

Alwaysor nearlyalways-——-——--—------—--- —--—---—-— —_____ 19.8 19.5

Scmetimes——-—------—_ —-—________________

Seldan———

13.6 15.3

——__________________ 18.1 17.6

Never---------------------------------------------------------- 48.5 47.5

%otal includesunknowns.

2Askedof personswho responded“yes”to item26; percentagesrepresentpercentof total~ulation.

3Askedof personswho respnded “yes”to item27;percentagesrepresentpercentof total.population.

4Askedof personswho res~nded “yesto item27; percentagesrepresentpercentof smokers.

5Whenresponsewas givenas a range,the numberwas roundedto the up+erlimit.

6Ask& of ~r~~ who res~nd~ yes to item36;percentagesrepresentpercentof tO&d. pOpUlatiO1l.

7~k&ofWrsmw~re~rt- drinki~ ~~hol withinthepast2 years;percentagesrepresent~rCent Clftow

population.

8Askedof per-s who res~fidedyes to items36 and 41; percentagesrepresentpercentof totalpopulation.

9Ask~ of ~r~~ w~ res~nded ~etimes or oftento item115;percentagesrepresent perCent Of tOtSl

population.

10Ask& of per~ns who haveat least-e naturalteeth;percentagesrepresentpercentof personswith

naturalteeth.

NmE: A facsimileof the questionnaireis shwn in a~ndix III of Series15, No. 1 of Vital and Health

Statistics.8

12
Table3. Percentdistributionof men and men ages20-64years,by ccqmsite measuresof healthpractices

derivedfranquestionnaireiteins:NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,

Wave I, 1979

Item

number CanPositemeasureof healthpractices Men

Total——-—————————

9- Percentdesirableweight:1~2

10 Greaterthanor equalto 10 percentbelowdesirableweight

5-9.9percentbelw desirableweight — —

?4.9 percentdesirableweight—————— — ——

5-9.9percentabovedesirableweight —.-——

10-19.9percentabovedesirableweight

20-29.9~rcent abovedesirableweight —

30 percentor more stovedesirableweight--

Numberof gocd healthhabits(fivehabits):2

o——— —-—.-.————————

1———— .--—--——-.-———-——-—- —.——-—-—

2——— ————-——- —

———-—.

:— -——-———-——--——--—--—- ——-

5—-—. ——— -—---——— —-—— -——.

Numberof good healthhabits (sixhabits):2

o—-— ------—--—-—— --———-- -—— ———-—-

1———-——-— ———— -——— —-- ——-

2— .——.—

4——-—-——--..--— —---— —- ———

5 — -.———- —

100.0

4.1

6.1

22.7

17.5

23.4

12.9

10.2

0.1

1.7

10.4

33.6

39.2

ls.o

0.0

0.9

6.8

21.7

33.6

27.4

9.6

100.0

1.3.o

12.7

25.5

10.5

I-5.8

8.2

1.2.7

0.0

1.2

7.1

25.9

42.4

23.5

R

4.4

16.0

30.9

32.3

15.5

1

#=rdfig ~o MetroPoli~.L;fe InsuranceTableof Desirable

see amlx II for defmltlm of terms.

KITE: A facsimileof the questionnaireis shownin a~ndix

Statistics.8

Weights,1960.

III of Series15,No. 1 of VitalandHealth

13
Table4. Percentdistributionof men and wcmenages20-64 yearsby questionnaireitemson healthcare

utilization:NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Healthcareutilizationquestionnaireitemand response Men

55

21

22

20

129

130

23

24

m@l----------------------------------------------------------

Is therea particularclinic,healthcenter,dcrtor’soffice,or hospital

emergencyroanthatyou usuallygo to if you are sickor needadviceabout

yourhealth?

Yes--------------------------------------------------------------------

N@----------------------------------------------------------------

Duringthepast 12 months,that is, since (DATE1 YEARA@3),&out how many

timesdid you see or speakto a medicaldoctoraboutyourown health? Please

excludeany doctorsyou may have seenwhileyou werea patientin a hospital:

None------------------—--—-------—-—-—— —-—-—--— _______________

1-----------------------------------------------------------------

2-----------------------------------------------------------------

4-----------------------------------------------------------

5-lo— -------------—--——-—--—--—--—--- —-—--—--——-———---

11 or mr+--------------------------------------------------

Abut how longhas it been sinceyou lastsaw or talkedto a medicaldoctor

aboutyourown health?

Less than1 year (lessthan12 months)—-—-----—--—--—-—------—--—----

1-2years (12monthsup to 24 months)--—---—--—-—--—--—--——-———————

2-4 years (morethan24 months,up to 5 years)- --—--— -—- -—---

5 yearsor rime—-------———-—--———— —--——-—-—-—--——-

Scxnepeopleget a generalphysicalexaminationonce in a whileeven though

theyare feelingwell and havenot beensick. When was thelast timeyou

had a generalphysicalexaminationwhenyou werenot sick?

Less than1 year (lessthan12 months)—--—-——-—--—-—--—--—-----

1-2 years (12nnnthsup to 24 months)---—--—————————— —--—-—z—

2-4years (morethan24 months,up to 5 years)——--——— —-—-————

5 yearsor more-----—--—--—-----—--—--———— ——--—-—-———--

100.0

77.8

21.9

30.8

29.4

15.5

8.4

5.3

::;

63.4

14.9

11.3

7.8

1.0

36.8

21.9

17.0

16.6

5.9

Does it everhappenthatyou do not haveenoughmoneyto affordthe kindof

medicalcareyou or your familyshouldhave?

21.0

78.9

Wouldyou say thishappens:

Satimes ------------------------------------------------------

Very often-———-----—--—---—--—--——--—-—— ———.—-—-—--—--

How longhas it beensinceyou lasthad yourblocdpressurechecked?

Less than1 year (lessthan12 months)—-—--—————-————— —--——

1-2years (12rrmthsup to 24 nmnths)--—————————— —-———--

2-4years (morethan24 n’mths,up to 5 years)—————— -—-—-———-———

5 yearsor more—------—---—--————--—————————— --—--—---

Never------------------------------------------------------

When was the last timeyou had a Pap smeartestfor cancer?(wunenonly)

::;

8.1

74.0

14.4

:::

0.7

Less than1 year (lessthan12 ninths)-—-—--——--—-—----——-—-————— ...

1-2 years (12monthsup to 24 ninths)———-——-—————-————

2-4 years (morethan24 nnnths,up to 5 years)——-——————————

...

—-- ...

5 yearsor more——— --—--—————-—-—---———-— ———— ...

Never—-—--—-------—--—---—--—--—- —————--— ——-——— ...

100.0

90.5

9.4

15.2

27.5

19.1

10.0

6.9

11.9

7.3

80.9

11.5

5.1

1.8

0.0

49.3

20.8

11.1

9.5

6.6

24.6

75.4

3.9

11.1

9.5

82.8

10.8

3.5

1.7

0.3

59.0

20.2

8.6

5.8

5.4

See fcotnotesat end of table.

14
Table4. Percentdistributionof men and wmen ages 20-64years by questionnaireitemson healthcare

utilization:National.Surveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979-Con.

Itm Healthcareutilizationquestionnaireitemand response number Men

25 When was the last timeyou had abreast examimtion-byadcctor? (wanenonly)

Less than1 year (lessthan12 months)——

1-2years (12monthsup to 24 mnths)

2-4 years (mre than24 months,up to 5 years)—— —

5 years“ormre-—-—--——————————— —

19 About‘howlonghas it been sinceyou lasthad an eye examination?

Less than1 year (lessthan12 mnths)-————— -—

1-2 years (12mnths up to 24 months)

2-4years (mre than24 mnths, up to 5 years)

5 yearsor mre—---—---—---—--—— -——

15 Abouthcw longhas it been sinceyou lastwent to a dentist?

Less than1 year (lessthan12 mnths)-——

1-2 years (12mnths up to 24 mnths)

2-4 years (mre than24 months,up to 5 years)

5 yearsor mre——— ——---—--—-— ————-

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

. . .

36.4

29.1

1.6.9

14.7

2.1

56.2

17.5

11.8

13.0

0.7

62.5

20.2

8.0

3.6

5.1

38.7

31.5

14.2

11.7

2.6

63.2

17.4

8.2

10.1

0.5

56 Have you beena patientovernightin a hospitalsince (UYIE1 Y’EM?ACX3)?

9.8

90.2

16.4

83.6

57 AU tcgether,hm many nightswereym in the hospitalsince (DATE1 YEAR~)?

1-2 nights—————-—----————-

3-4 nights-—--—---———

5-7 nights-—---—--- ———-—.

1.8

2.1

1.7

3.8

4.4

3.4

8 nightsor mre——----- 4.2 4.4

%Mkl. includesunkncwns.

KYI’E:A facsimileof the questionnaireis shcwnin appendixIII of Series15,No. 1 of VitalandHealth

Statistics.8

15
Table5. Percentdistributionof men and wmen ages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson socialsupport:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesandConsequences,Wave 1, 1979

Item

number Socialsupportquestiomaireitemand response Men Wmen

113

113

113

113

113

113

114

121

122

lbal— —---—--—— ________________

Wouldyou pleasetellwhetheryou haveparticipatein any activitiesor

meetingsrun by any of the followinggroupsin thelast3 months?

A laterunion,ccxmercialgroup,or professionalorganization:

Yes—-— ——__________________________________________ __

No————--—--———---——— ________________________________

A churchgroup:

Yes-----------------------------------------------------

No———— _________________________________________________________

A groupconcernedwithchildrensuchas ETA,Boy Scouts,GirlScouts,etc.:

Yes--—-—— --—--—-——--—--—-—___ ——-—--—------—-. --—------

N*---------------------------------------------------------

Any othergroupthat is concernedwithccmnunity betterment,charity,or service:

Yes— ________________________________________________________

N~-----------------------------------------------------------

Any othergroupthat is mainlysocial,fraternal,or recreational:

N~-----------------------------------L--------------

Abouthcw often,if ever,do you go to religiousservices?

Once a weekor mr~-------------------------------------------------

1-3 timesa mnth---------------------------------------------------------

Less thanoncea mnth ---------------------------------------------------

How many closerelativesdo you have? Theseare peoplethatyou feelat

easewith,can talkto aboutprivatematters,and can callon for help:

Non~------------------------------------------------

5____________________________________________________________________

6——————— ------------------------------------------------------------

7_______________________________________________________________

10 or mre--------------------------------------------------------------

And howmanY friendsdo YOU have thatYou feelreally close to? Theseare

friendstha~you feelat-easewith,c~ talkto abou~privatematters,and

can callon for help:

Non~----------------------------------------------------------

1___________________________________________________________________

2---------------------------------------------------------------------

3----------------------------------------------------------------------

4----------------------------------------------------------------------

5-----------------------------------------------------------------------

6----------------------------------------------------------

7——————-----------------------------------------------------------

8_____________________________________________________________________

9______________________________________________________________________

10 or mr*----------------------------------------------------------------

100.0

30.1

69.6

28.5

71.4

24.7

74.9

24.4

75.5

33.5

66.2

31.6

17.7

29.1

21.5

7.4

6.7

13.7

8.6

11.4

9.9

10.6

2.2

4.0

0.7

24.7

5.5

4.8

13.0

11.5

10.2

10.6

10.6

1.3

2.5

0.3

29.4

100.0

13.9

85.8

37.8

62.2

27.7

72.2

22.1

77.8

26.7

73.2

49.1

15.2

19.2

16.3

4.8

6.8

10.8

11.9

12.0

10.9

9.2

4.1

3.7

1.0

24.5

5.3

8.5

18.5

14.7

10.9

11.5

7.9

1.5

3.0

0.5

17.4

See footnotesat end of table.

16
.. .

Table5. Percentdistributionof men and mnen ages 20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson social.support:

NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979--Con.

Item

number Sccialsupprt questionnaireitemand respmse Men

123 HW manyof theseclosefriendsor relativesdo you see at leastoncea nmnth?2

None—-——— ------ .——-

1——-..——-.—-——--- — ——-—

2——--— _____ ---- —-—— -———

3————— —

4 —— — -—-—

5_________—————— ____________

10 or more————————————————— —-—— —

124 Abouthew oftendo you visitwith any closerelativesor frieds?3

Mme thanonce a week (morethan4 timesa mnth)

Atoutonce a week (about4 timesa mnth)- .—

2-3 timesa mnth ————-— —

Aboutonce a mnth———-———————— —-———— ——-——-—-—-

Less thanonce a month————— ——— --—

Never— ———- ———

3.7

4.3

9.9

8.4

U

7.9

3.7

4.9

2.2

37.5

30.7

12.8

10.6

6.6

1.3

3.1

5.6

1::;

8.7

5.4

6.1

2.0

30.3

41.8

29.6

11.0

8.6

6.2

1,1

%W includesunkncms.

~~mns who respmded “none”to items121 and 122 are includedin the “none”catmorv.

The “nwern category

NOTE: A facsimileof

Statistics.8

wnsists of personswho res&cmded“me” to questicms121 ~ ~2.

the questionnaireis sham in appendixIII of Series15,No. 1 of VitalandHealth

17
Table6. Percentdistributionof men and vanenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson psychological

well-being:NationalSurveyof Personal.HealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Psychologicalwell-beingquestionnaireitemand reeponse Men Wtmen

118

119

120

127

125

128

128

128

128

128

T&all—--———--—--—--—---—-——-——————--—--—---

How much enjoymentdo you get out of your freetime? Wouldyou say:

A little————-—---—-— ____________________________________

sane———-—------—--—----—-————————— —-—--—-----—--—--—--

A greatde~--------------------------------------------------

And how oftendo you findthatyou havetimeon yourhandsthatyou don’tknew

what to do with?

Never—————--———---——-- -—-——————-—-— _____

Rarely——--———---_-___— _______ ———-————---—--

sanetimes----------------------------------------

Very often——-—--——— ______________ ——-— ---— --

All in all,how happyare you thesedays?

Not tooha~—- —-----——-- ———-—--——————-—-—————---

Prettyhappy—--—-—--————-——— ----- ——-——--—--

Very ha~—-—--—-——--———-—-—--—-—-- ———---—------

AU in all,how ha~y has yourmarriagebeenforyou? Wouldyou say2

Not tooham ——-—--—-—_— __ —_ —_---— —-_ ——--—--—---

Prettyhappy—--—--—-—--—--—--—— —--—--—--—---. —------—--—---

Very happy—---—--—-------------———— --—---— -——--—--—--—--—---

IM you feelthatyou haveenoughclosefriendsor relatives?3

Yes-----------------------------------------------------

No—————— —-—--—--—- ——-———--—--—-—— —--—--—--

How oftenin the pastmonthhaveyou felt:

Cheerfuland lighthearted?

Verv often-——— —-—--———-———-—-—- —————-—--—--—---

Rarely—————-—--——---——————— -——— —-———--—---—-

Never——-—---—--—--—— —- —--—-—-—--——-—-——- —--——

I/wed and wanted?

Very oftew------------------------------------------------

S&tiEs --------------------------------------------------

Rarely—--—---———--—--—---—--—-—-—--———-------- ——-—--—--

Never—--———--—-------—-------—--—- —----------—-— -———------

Dmnhearted and blue?

Sanetimes-————-—-—-—--—--———-—--——————— —-—--—-- —--—--

Rarely—————--—————-——-—--——--———-——— -———-——-

IOnely?

SClnetilies--—---—--—------—_———---—— --———-—--—----

Rarely- ----—-- —--—--—---—-—--—--—--—-— ——— —-------

Never———--——-—--——-—-—--—--—-—--—--———— -—-———-—---

100.0

7.0

20.1

72.5

33.8

42.2

18.0

5.7

4;::

44.6

1.8

32.0

65.8

83.3

15.8

52.4

37.8

6.8

2.3

62.8

27.6

5.0

3.3

6.0

26.6

47.3

19.7

5.0

16.4

31.1

47.0

100.0

2:::

69.5

41.7

36.3

16.9

5.0

8.0

44.6

46.7

3::;

59.8

83.3

16.1

60.6

32.9

4.8

1.2

69.5

22.0

4.7

2.1

9.7

32.8

43.4

13.6

6.8

20.1

35.3

37.5

)bld includesunkncwns.

3Askedonlyof currentlymarriedpersons;percentagesrepresentpercentof marriedpersons.

Askedof personswho reportedone or rmre friendsor relativesin items121 and 122 in table5.

N21’E:A facsimileof thequestiomaireis shownin appendixIII of Series15,No. 1 of Vitaland Health

Statistics.8

18
Table7. Percentdistributionof men and wanenages20-64yearsby curpositemeasuresof psycholqical

problemsderivedfranresponsesto questionnaireitems: NationalSurveyof Personal

HealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Itm

number _sitemasure ofpsyclmlcgicalproblems Men Wunen

132-

135

136-

139

Total—-———————————— ——.—- ——-— --

Canpositeof questionnaireitems132-135concerningexperienceof personal

emtional,behavioral,or mentalproblemsin the pastY-:l

Severeproblms; feltneed for professionalhelp and got it—

Severeproblems;feltneed for professionalhelp,and did not get it- —

Severeproblem; did not feelneed for professionalhel~--—-

Saneproblems,not severe---- ————--——

No problems-———————————— —--——-. ——--

~=:~f questionnaireitems136-139concerningexperienceofnervous

Neverhad or feltcloseto a nervousbreakdcwn-—--- ———

Had nervousbreakdwn in past year,canpletelywer it-—— —————

Closeto nervousbreakdownin past year,canpletelywer it——--——

Had nervousbreakdcwnin pastyear,not canpletelywer it— —---

Closeto nervousbreaktkxmin past year,not Ccinpletelywer it— ---—--—-

Had nervousbreakdownmre than1 year ago,caripletelywer it —-

Closeto nervousbreakdcm nmre than1 year ago,canpletelywer it --—-

Had nervousbreakdownrmre than 1 year ago,not cmpletelywer it————-

Closeto nervousbreakdownmore than1 year ago,not ccqletely wer it—-—--

100.0

3.5

1.4

5.7

32.2

57.2

83.3

0.2

3.4

0.3

1.7

1.1

7.2

1.0

1.7

100.0

3.3

1.9

5.9

39.8

49.1

70.8

3.2

4.3

0.3

4.1

3.4

13.0

1.3

2.5

1

See a~ndix III for

KYI’E:A facsimileof

Statistics.8

questionnaireitems.

the questionnaireis shcm in a%ndix III of Series15,No. 1 of Vitaland Health

19
Table8. Percentdistributionof employedmen and wcinenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson

occupation-relatedhealthfactors: NationalSurveyof PersonalHealthPracticesand Consequences,

Wave I, 1979

Item

number Occupationalhealthquestionnaireitemand respnse Men -en

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

T&all -——____________________________________________

cuRRmrLY EMPImEo

DO you get timeoff franyour job withpay whenyou are ill?2

Yes— _________________________________________________

No———— —— ____________________________________________

~ti~r employergiveyou timeoff frcmworkwithpay for visitsto the

Yes---------------------------------------------------------

Nc—————_______________________________________________________

Doesyour job involvea variablework shift? That is,do you work the day shift

sanetimesand the nightshiftat othertimes?

Yes-----------------------------------------------------

N~--------------------------------------------------------

How muchhardphysicalwork is requiredon your job? I‘m referringto things

likepushingor carryingheavyobjects,handlingheavytoolsor equipnent,

or digging.

None at all—--—--——---—--——--———--—-—--—--—-———-—----——

Hardly~y--------------------------------------------------

sme----------------------------------------------------------

A greatded-------------------------------------------------

How wcxildyou describethe degreeof emmtionalstressassaiatedwithyour job?

Wouldyou say you are under:

A greatdealof stress—-——--—---——-————--—-—--—--—--—--

Sane stiess-------------------------------------------------

Hardlyany stress--------------------------------------------------

In yourcurrentjob are you exposedto any specialriskof accidentsor

injuriesor to any substancesthatcouldendangeryourhealth?

Yes-------------------------------------------------------------

N&------------------------------------------------------------

EVEREEIL3L)YED

Did you everchangejobsbecauseyou were concernedaboutoccupationalhazards

or dangersto yourhealth?

Yes---------------------------------------------------------------------

100.0

75.9

23.5

59.4

39.5

26.9

73.1

29.7

20.4

25.8

24.0

26.1

50.0

23.7

50.0

49.9

12.2

87.8

100.0

67.0

31.6

45.2

52.2

17.6

82.4

48.5

23.0

18.0

10.4

20.2

45.4

33.9

23.7

76.1

6.0

94.0

1

z~tal includesunkncwns.

Asked of anployedpersons

thanthe self-employed.

Kl!lTE:A facsimile.Of the

Statistics.8

otherthan self-employed;percentagesrepresentpercentof employedpersonsother

questionnaireis shown in appendixIII of Series15, No. 1 of Vital and Health

20
Table9. Percentdistributionof men and wunenages20-64yearsby questionnaireitemson life events:

National.Surveyof PersonalHealthPracticesandConsequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Life eventquestionnaireitemand response Men

131

mtalL— —.-—--.—-.—— ——- 100.0 100.0

Pleasetellme whichof theseevents,if any,happenedin yourlifeduringthe

past.5years:z

Deathof your (husband/wife)or one of your children————

Problemsor difficultieswith a steadydateor fiance————————

Seriousfinancialdifficultiesor problm+--————

Yourown seriousillness,injury,or operation--- ——

Seriousillness,injury,or operationof one of your childr~

Seriousillness,injury,or operationof your (husband/wife) ———

Beingunableto get medical.treatmentwhen it was seriouslyneededfor

yourselfor your (husband/wife)or yourchildrek— —————

Your mm mrital separationor divorce-———--—-———~————— —

Otherproblemsor difficultiesrelatedto yourmarriage —

2.8

16.4

25.1

18.7

7.7

14.9

5.5

10.3

4.0

5.0

14.5

26.8

24.5

13.1

16.2

6.2

8.6

6.7’

112 Duringthe past 5 years,that is since1974,b many eITiplweY3 or ~kS,

if any,haveyou workedfor on a full-timebasis,includingyourpresentjob?

Mme4 ..-_-——--————-—---—.--— —--——-— —.— 5.7 31.4

l— -—---—--—---— --—--—-————— ———--- 56.8 40.1

2——— . ——---—-———--———— . 18.4 17.4

3 ---————- ——-—-. 8.7 7.2

4———-—— ——-—-— -———--—— — 3.6 2.1

5— ——--—-—-——- ——-- — 6.4 1.7

140 In thepast 5 years,that is, since (mnth, 1974), howmny addresseshaveyou

livedat, includingyourpresentaddress?

1—-—--—--—----—-— -— —— 50.8 56.7

2——————— ————--——- 23.4 23.5

3——-—--——-—--———-— —— 13.5 9.4

i or nme———— ——--—--— -— —— 1.2.1 10.3

%tal includesunknowns.

s willnot add to totalsbecausethe categoriesmay werlap.

t askedof persms who reportedmaritalseparationor divorce;percentagesrepresentpercentof the

titalpopulation.

4The “rime”categoryincltiespersonswho haveneverworked.

I’urE: A facsimileof the questionnaireis sham in appendixIII of Series 15, No. 1 of Vital.and Health

Statistics.8

21
Table10. Percentdistributionof men and wanenages20-64yearsby sociodemgraphiccharacteristics:

NationalSurveyof Personal.HealthPracticesand Consequences,Wave I, 1979

Item

number Scciodmcqaphic itemand response Men Wmen

141

153

126

150

142

65-

69

wall _____________________________________________________

Whatwas the lastgradeor yearof schoolyou cxmpletfxl?

1-4 years—--—--———-—--—-——-—-—————— -—-—---.——---.--—

5-6 ye=s----------------------------------------------

7-8 years--—--—— ---—----------—--——----—--—--—-——------—-

9-11years----------------------------------------------------

12 years (canpletedhigh schcolor equivalent)-—-—---—--—--—-—--—--—-

13-15years (sanecollegeor tradeschool)-—--—--————--— ---—----

16 yearsor more (cxxnpletedcollegeor more)——--—-——--—--—--— -------

Pleasetellm intowhichof the followinggroupsyour family’scabined

incunefellin 1978,beforetaxes:

Less than$5,000—-——-—---—-----——--—-- ————--—--—------—

$5,000-$9,999—-—--—---———------—--——--—--—--— —-———--—--—

$10,ooo-$l4,999-------------------------------------------------

$15,000-$24,999——-—--—--—-—--—--—-———- —-——.—----

$25,000or mre------------------------------------------------

Are you now:

&ri+--------------------------------------------------------

Dimrc4--------------------------------------------------------

Se~rat@-------------------------------------------------

NevermrriW ------------------------------------------------------

Racialbackground:2 r3

Black-———--———----------—--——----—--—--—--— —-—-—--—--—--

Otier-------------------------------------------------------

Age:2

20-34ye=*----------------------------------------------------

35-49years——--—---—-----——————-————— ----——-—--—--— -----

50-64years-------------------—-—-—------—--——— ———-----—--—---—

Usualactivityover thepast 12 mnths:2,3

Usuallymrking-----------------------------------------------

Keepinghouse~----------------------------------------------

Retiredbecauseof health-—---——— ——-——-—-———-—--——-—

Retiredfor reasonsotherthanhealth-—--—--—------—-—--—--—--------

Goingto school--------------------------------------------

Scenethingelse-------------------------------------------------

100.0

0.0

1.3

1.4

1;::

31..9

23.6

24.2

5.1

11.9

17.8

33.1

26.6

71.0

1.5

6.4

2.2

18.9

89.8

6.6

2.9

43.7

33.1

23.2

88.4

1.5

1.9

1.2

4.1

3.0

100.0

0.1

0.3

0.8

1;::

41.4

23.4

14.5

7.9

14.9

18.4

29.0

21.0

70.9

5.1

7.3

2.8

13.9

86.1

10.5

2.6

43.7

30.3

26.0

53.4

41.3

0.4

0.2

3.5

1.2

%tal includesunknowns.

.$eeappendixII for definitionof terms.

See appendixIII for questiomaireit-.

NOTE: A facsimileof thequestionnaireis shcwnin a~ndix III of Series15,No. 1 of VitalandHealth

Statistics.8

22
Appendixes

Contents

1. Technical notes on methods . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Background ofthis report.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Statistical design of thesurvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sex ratio ofthesample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reliability ofestimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Il. Definitions ofcertain termsusadin thisreport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Terms relating tohealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Terms relating tocomposite measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Demographicterms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

111. Selected questionnaire items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

List of Appendix Tablas

1.

Il.

Ill.

Standard errors,expressed in percentage points, ofestimatedpercents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Numbarof respondents ages 20-64 years, by sex and selected characteristics: National Survey of Pemonai Health Practicesand Consequences,Wavei, 1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Population bases for percents shown in tables 1-10, by sex: National Survey of Pemonal Health Practices and Consequences, Wave 1,1979 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

24

24

25

25

26

29

29

29

30

31

26

27

27

23
Appendix L Technical notes on methods

Background of this report

This report is one of a series of statistical reports

prepared by the National Center for Health Statistics

(NCHS) based on information collected in a telephone survey, the National Survey of Personal Health

Practices and Consequences. This survey was undertaken as part of the “prevention initiative” of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the

Department of Health and Human Services). The primary goal of this survey was to provide data that

allow analysis of the interrelationships between

health practices and health status.

Two waves of interviews were conducted among a

panel of adult respondents 20-64 years of age. In the

spring of 1979, 3,025 Wave I interviews were successfully completed. This constituted an 81-percent response from the predesignated sample of potential respondents. In the spring of 1980, 2,453 Wave 11

interviews were completed. This constituted an 81-

percent response from the respondents previously

interviewed in Wave I.

The data in this report were collected in the

spring of 1979 by Chilton Research Services of Radnor, Pa., under contract with the National Center for

Health Statistics. A number of survey questions were

asked that would permit the data collection service

to maintain contact with respondents for potential

followups. It is anticipated that the interview data on

personal health behavior and reported illness will be

checked against future records of the National Death

Index, presently being developed by the National

Center for Health Statistics. Discussion of survey

methods is based entirely on information provided to

NCHS by Chilton Research Services.

Statistical design of the survey

General plan. –The target population for the National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences, Wave I, was all persons aged 20-64 years

residing in the conterminous United States in households with a telephone. The survey questions were

asked over the telephone in interviews lasting about Y2

hour each. This method has two distinct advantages

over conventional face-to-face interviewing: it results

in speedier data collection, and it reduces interviewer

variance by allowing ongoing monitoring of interview

quality. The principal disadvantage of the telephone

method is undercoverage; preliminary findings from

the 1979 National Health Interview Survey indicate

that about 7 percent of U.S. households dicl not have

a telephone.g

Detailed analysis of 1976 National Health Interview Survey data revealed that while persons residing

in households without a telephone were disproportionately low income. differences in sc~ciodemographic and health characteristics between the population with a telephone and the total population

were, on the whole, small.lo According to a study

currently being conducted for the National Center for

Health Statistics by the Survey Research lCenter of

the University of Michigan, the quality of data obtained using the telephone method generally appears

to be comparable to that obtained using the personal

interview method.1 1

l%mvey design. –The sampling plan of the survey

was a three-stage stratified cluster design. In the first

stage of the design, each county and its associated

telephone exchanges were assigned to 1 of 18 sampling strata by region and metropolitan-nonmetropolitan status. Telephone exchanges were randomly

selected in such a way that each exchange had an

equal probability of selection.

In stage 11 a random sample of telephone households was selected from each sample telephone exchange identified in stage I. Household telephone

numbers were selected in proportion to the number

of households served by each exchange. Approximately 70 percent of the nonworking and nonresiNOTE: A list of references follows the text.

24
dential numbers were identified and eliminated from

the sample during the process of sample selection.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census indicate

that about 17 percent of all households have no members in the age group eligible for this survey (20-64

years). The initial sample, therefore, was increased to

allow for the screening out of ineligible households.

Stage III of the sample design consisted of selecting one sample respondent from each eligible household selected in stage II. At the time of initial contact

with a household, the interviewer listed the age and

sex of all eligible respondents and chose the sample

person using a random selection procedure.

A more detailed description of the methods used

in this survey is available on request from the

National Center for Health Statistics.

Collection of data. –Field operations for the survey were performed under specifications established

by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

Chilton Research Services participated in the survey

pkuming, selected the sample, and conducted the telephone interviews as an agent of NCHS. The data were

coded and edited by Chilton Research Services and

tabulated by NCHS.

Estimation procedures. –In the fmt two stages of

the sample design, each telephone exchange and telephone household had a known and equal probability

of selection. In the third stage, because only one

respondent was selected per household, the probability of selection of an individual depended on the

composition of the household. In a household with

two members 20-64 years of age the probability was

1:2; in a household, with three membem 20-64 years

of age, the probability was 1:3; and so forth. For the

purposes of estimation, each respondent’s answers

were weighted by the inverse of his or her overall

probability of selection.

General qualifications

The interview process. –The statistics presented in

this report are based on replies obtained in telephone

interviews with selected respondents in sample households. Self-reporting was required for all items. If the

designated respondent was not at home at the time of

initial contact with the household, the interviewer

asked when the individual would be home and called

back at that time to conduct the interview.

Nonresponse. –Chilton Research Services reported

a response rate of approximately 81 percent. Calculation of response rates in telephone surveys cannot

be precise. It is often impossible to determine the

eligibility of persons residing in telephone households

where no answer is obtained after repeated attempts

to reach the household or where a refusal is obtained

prior to gathetig any information about household

composition.

A minimum of five attempts were made to reach

each sample household. Prior to the interviewing

phase of the study, a subset of the original sample

had been designated as eligible for nonresponse followup. Followup consisted of as many as five additional attempts to reach a sample person. For each

“no answer” or “busy” response to the followup, the

sample telephone number was checked through the

telephone company to determine if it was a working

residential number. This enabled Chilton Research

Services to make an overall estimate of the number of

households remaining unidenfiled and to place an

upper limit on potential bias resulting from

nonresponse.

Sex ratio of the sample

Of the respondents to the National Survey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences, 40 percent

were men and 60 percent were women~a sex ratio of

66.5. This sex ratio is appreciably lower than the

national sex ratio for adults residing in households

with telephones—9 1.1. No attempt has been made in

the estimation procedures to poststratiTy- the sample

weights by sex or otherwise adjust the sample weights

for this sex ratio differential. If estimates for most

items were made for both sexes, the estimates would

be appreciably biased in the direction of each item’s

distribution for females. Therefore, the data for the

category “both sexes” are not shown. By the same

token, given the substantive importance of analyzing

health practices separately for men and women, data

are shown separately in this report for each of these

subpopulations.

In order to assess whether the sex ratio of survey

respondents biased the distribution of other sociodemographic characteristics of male and female

respondents, the demographic characteristics of respondents to the National Survey of Personal Health

Practices and Consequences were compared with the

characteristics of respondents to the National Health

Interview Survey residing in households with telephones. The Nationil Health Interview Survey is an

ongoing survey that collects data on approximately

110,000 people over the course of the year and

attains a response rate of about 96 percent, using

face-to-face interviewing. Data for males and females

in the two samples were compared in terms of

income, education, race, marital status, and employment status. Even though the sex ratio of respondents

to the National Survey of Personal Health Practices

and Consequences was lower than that of respondents

to the National Health Interview Survey, it was

found to produce no appreciable bias in the distribution of respondents with respect to race, marital status, and employment status.

The percent of respondents reporting 13-15 years

of schooling was significantly greater in the National

Survey of Personal Health Practices and Conse25
quences than in the National Health Interview Survey. By contrast, the percent of respondents in the

highest income group ($25 ,000 or more a year) was

lower.

In general, comparison of respondents to both

surveys in terms of demographic characteristics indicates that, when the data are analyzed separately for

males and females, the lower sex ratio of respondents

to the National Survey of Personal Health Practices

and Consequences had little appreciable effect on the

distribution of other selected sociodemographic

characteristics.

Reliability of estimates

Since the estimates shown are based on a sample

rather than on the entire population, they are subject

to sampling variability. The standard error is a meas-

‘ure of sampling variability, that is, the variation that

occurs by chance because only a sample of the population is surveyed. The chances are about 68 out of

100 that an estimate from the sample will differ from

a complete census by less than the standard error.

The chances are about 95 out of 100 that the difference will be less than twice the standard error and

about 99 out of 100 that it will be less than 2?4times

as large.

In this report, terms such as “similar” and “the

same” indicate that no statistically significant difference exists between the statistics being compared.

Terms relating to differences (“greater,” “less,” etc.)

indicate differences that are statistically significant.

The t-test with a critical value of 1.96 (0.05 level of

significance) was used to test zdlcomparisons that are

discussed. Lack of comment regarding the difference

between any two statistics does not mean the difference was tested and found to be not significant.

Table I presents the approximate standard errors

for estimates of proportions appearing in tables 1-10.

The standard errors incorporate a design effect of 1.2,

reflecting the combined influences of stratification,

cluster sampling, and the weighting due to random

selection of respondents within households.

Table II presents the unweighed frequencies for

all sample persons and for each subgroup on which

calculations in this report are based. Unless otherwise

specified, distributions are based on all sample

persons. In instances where a special subgroup (for

example, current smokers) is analyzed the group is

identified in a footnote to the table. The numbers in

table II are to be used exclusively for the determination of sampling errors.

Table III presents the population bases used to

calculate the percent distributions shown in tables

1-10. These numbem reflect adjustments to the actual

number of respondents shown in table II, based on

the number of persons ages 20-64 years residing in

the sample household. These numbers may be used to

combine cells in appropriate tables. Generally, the

population base is all persons unless otherwise footnoted in the tables.

Table 1. Standard errors, expreasad in percentage pointa, of estimated percents

Estimated percent

5 10 20 30 40

Base of percen t 50

:5 :0 :0 % :;

50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4

KID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4

300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3

600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9

900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q.8

1200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q.7

1500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Q.6

1800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5

4.6

3.3

1.9,

1.3

1.1

0.9

0.8

0.7

Standard error in percentage points

6.1 7.0

4.4 5.0

2.5 2.9

1.8 2.0

1.4 1.7

1.3 1.4

1.1 1.2

1.0 1.1

7.6

5.4

3.0

2.1

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.1

7.7

5.5

3.1

2.2

1.8

1.6

1.4

1.2

26
Table 11.Number of respondents ages 20-64 years, by sex and selected

characteristics: National Survey of Personal Health Practices and

Consequences, Wave I, 1979

Table III. Population bases for percents shown in tables 1-10 by sex:

National Suwey of Personal Health Practices and Consequences,

Wave I, 1979

Selected characteristic Men Woman

All sample persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,171 1,854

Current smokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470 625

Persons who have any

natural teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,129 1,753

Currently married. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 779 1,201

Persons with at least one friend

or relative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,152 1,832

Currently employed . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,021 1,069

Currently employed, excluding

self-employ Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 834 955

Ever-employ Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,169 1,788

Note: The numbers in this table are to be used for the determination

of sampling error (see teble l). For combining cells in tables 1-10

use the population basesshown in table II1.

Selected characteristic Man Women

All sample persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,299 3,457

Current smokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893 1,139

Persons who have any

naturel teeth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,232 3,315

Persons with at least one friend

or relative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,270 3,420

Currently employed . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,956 1,499

Currently employed, excluding

self-employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,607 1,384

Ever-employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,293 3,331

Note: These numbers may be used for combining cells in tables 1-10.

They reflect adjustment to the actual number of respondents (table

Il), based on the number of persons ages20-64 years in the household.

For determination of sempling error, seenumbers in table II.

27
Appendix Il. Definitions of certain

terms used in this repo~

Terms relating to health

Specific health practices and health consequences

covered in this survey were derived from recent literature in the field of health promotion and disease prevention.G~Tj12~ls Tables 1-10 reflect the broad range

of issues pertinent to this field.

Terms relating to composite measures

Percent desirable weight. –Persons reported height

in feet and inches (without shoes) and weight in

pounds (without clothes). Actual weight relative to

height for each respondent was then compared with

1960 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company standards of desirable weight relative to height for

medium-frame individuals.lq Because these standards

were based on height with shoes (1-inch heels for

men; 2-inch heels for women) and weight with indoor

clothing, the tables were adjusted to make them suitable for analysis of NSPHPC data. Two pounds were

subtracted from each weight range for clothing, and

the appropriate number of inches were subtracted

from the heights of men and women. Respondents

were categorized according to the percent above or

below the mean desirable weight for their height.

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company standards were developed on the basis of data from the

1959 Build and Blood Pressure Study,15 which examined the mortality experience of life insurance

plan participants in 26 insurance companies over a

20-year period.

Health habit scores. –The health habit scores

shown in table 3 are a partial replication of the scores

employed in the Alameda County study of preventive

health behavior. That score contained the following

seven good health practices:

1. Sleeping an average of 7 to 8 hours a night.

NOTE: A list of references follows the text.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Controlling one’s weight (if male, weighing between 5 percent under and 19.9 percent over the

desirable standard weight; if female, weighing not

more than 9.9 percent over the desirable standard

weight.

Exercising.

Limiting alcohol consumption to less than five

drinks at one sitting.

Never having smoked cigarettes.

Eating breakfast ahnost every day.

Seldom, if ever, eating snacks.

The five-habit score shown in table 3 includes the

fmt five of these habits. The six-habit score includes

the sixth habit, eating breakfast. Subsequent analyses

of the Alameda data have cast some doubt on the

strength of the relationship between snacking and

health status.4Jc For this reason, information on

snacking was not collected in the National Survey,

and thus a seven-habit score could not be constructed.

Exercise was operationally defined somewhat

differently in this survey than in the Alameda survey,

but the differences are not major. The Alameda definition was “often or sometimes engaging in active

sports, swimming or taking long walks” or “often

gardening or engaging in exercise considered physically active.”1 In the current analysis, exercise is

defined as (1) sometimes or often swimming in

summer, taking long walks, jogging, or riding a bicycle, or (2) often engaging in a physically active

hobby, doing calisthenics, or participating in other

active sports.

The terminology related to alcohol consumption

also differed slightly from that used in Alameda

County. The NSPHPC used the wording “drinks a

day” while the Alameda study used “drinks at one

sitting.”

Emotional problems and ne?vous breakdown. –

The measures of emotional problems and experience

of nervous breakdown shown in table 7 are compos29
ites of questions 132-135 and 136-139, respectively.

The “individual items were combined to reflect the

range of response combinations because each item

alone would be unirderpretable.

Demographic terms

Age. -Age was defined as the number of whole

years the person had been alive at the time of the

interview and was determined cm the basis of

reported date of birth and date of interview.

Education. –Educational level was reported in

terms of last grade or year of school completed.

Twelve years of education indicates completion of

high school or the equivalent. More than 12 years

indicates completion of 1 or more years of college or

trade school.

Race. –Race was determined from questions 150

and 151. Persons reporting themselves as American

Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other were classified as “other” with one exception. Persons who

reported “other” in question 150 but reported themselves of Hispanic origin in question 151 were

included in the “white category.”

Usual activity. –Responses to questions 65-69

indicated usual activity over the past 12 months (e.g.,

working, going to school, etc.). Answers were combined to create the variable “usual activity.”

.,

30
Appendix Ill. Selectedquestionnaire items.

65. What were you doing for most of the 71. Are you limited in the XMURJ# of work

past 12 manths :working, ~ing you can do because of you= health?

house, or something else?

73-

67-

SKIP TO Q. 86 Yes 1

SKIP TO Q. 73 Working 1

Xo 2

SKIP TO Q. 78 Keeping house 2

,

REFER TO AGE OK SCREEN Something e~=e 3

IF 45 OR OVER, C02JTINUE. IF UNDER 45,

ISKIPTO Q. 67 I

I

66. Are you retired?

67. What were you doing for most of the

pas t 12 months?

69-

SKIP TO Q. 82 Going to school 1

72. Are you limited in the kind or amount

of other activk bec~ of your

health?

SKI? TO Q. 69 Other 2

68. Did you retire because of your health?

70-

&

Yes 1

Ho 2

69. Does your healt$ now keep you from

working?

71- .-

SKIP TO Q. 86 Yee 1

No 2

70. Are you limited in the kind of work

yoticould do because of~r health?

72-

ISKIP TO ().86 \Yes 1

No 2

74-

SKIP TO Q. 86 Yes 1

73. Do you —now have a job?

75-

SKIP TO Q. 75 Yes 1

No I2

74. In terms of health, are you now able

to work at all?

76-

Yes 1

SKIP TO Q. 86 NO 2

75. Are you limited in the kiad of work

you can do because of y=health?

SKIP TO Q. 86 Yes 1

No 2

76. Are you limited in the amount of work

you can do because of your health?

ISKIP TO Q. 86 I Yes Ill

No I

2

SP. 79

END CARD 2 80 -@
132.

133.

.

ilk.

U5.

136.

ilidYOU have any severe personal,

emotional,behavioral ar mental

problems that concerned you in che

pase year?

16-

SKIP To Q. 134 Yes 1

No 2

Don’t &OW a

Would YOU

this kind

problems?

say you had no problem of

ac all, or no severe

EEszE

Did you consider any of these to be

severe enough chac you felt you

needed professionalhelp?

18-

Yes 1

s~w To Xo 2

Q. 136 DOU’E tiOW 9

Did you seek professionalhelp?

EE

Have you ever had a nemous

breakdown?

I SICIFTO Q. 138 I Yes

No I

2

I Don’t mow i 8

L37.

L3a.

L39*

Did you ever feel that you were

going to have, or were close to

having a nemous breakdowu?

2:L- .

Yes 1

SKIP TO No 2

Q. MO Don’e Know a

‘Was chae during che past year?

-=

tie you SCIU bothered by chat

condlcion or are you completely over

Lc?

23- ‘

Still bothered by it 1

Completely over it 2

Don’t Know 8

32
145.

L46 .

167.

148.

149.

In total, ac how many ocher phme

numbers La this residence can

‘nousehaLdmxubers be reached?

(=CLL7E ?EONE :JtRfBERDLILiD)

# (63)

(SIUP TO Q. 250)

Row any peopl,ebetween che ages of

20 and 64 live here?

Nwaber of ?eotile (64- 66

Don’t tiOW I

998

How many of these people have

cegular access :0 ckk phone nuntber?

%unber of ?eople (6? - .$Q

llou’tKnow 998

Are there any c~lephone numbers in

this residenceocher thaa the one

I’ve dialed, ac which Cbese

(# NQ. 14T ) people can be reac5ed?

70-

Yu L

SZIPTOQ. lSil lb 2

In total, ac how uny other phone

numbers in this reside~an these

(# IN C!. hi? ) peopLe be reached?

(EwL’mE mom MXSR MALED)

L50.

ML.

lS2.

no

Wr

READ

Pleasa cell ae uhic!x one of :Se

following racial gruu~best

describes your racial ba~ound.

Are you... (RUJI LIST SLO%LY. ?AUSE

3RIEPLY .- EM=.)

73-

SZrP slack 2

To American Iadian 3

q. K2 Asian 4

Pacific Islander 5

Same othe= gzoup 6

70 which racial group da you beLang?

Now I’31 gaixx CO reed You a lise of

mps ukch-descri5es-same people’s

aa~ianal orlgfi or aacescry. Please

cell me iE any of t!aese ~oups is

your national origin or anceszq.

(READ LIST. STOP AFTZ3 F13ST WZS”.)

75-

PuerEo Rican 2’

Cuban. 2

Xexican, Xexicano, Y&can

Amtr%caa, or Chicano 3

Same oeker bcin AmerLcan or

Spaulsh group 4

Yane of these groups s

3an’c Knciu I

8

33
Vital and Health Statistics series descriptions

SERIES 1.

SERIES 2.

SERIES 3.

SERIES 4.

SERIES 10.

SERIES 11.

SERIES 12.

SERIES 13.

Programs and Collection Procedures. -Reports describing

the gwvwal programs of the National Center for i+ealth

Statistics and its offices and divisions and the data collection methods used. They also include definitions and

other material necessary for understanding the data.

Data Evaluation and Methods Research. -Studies of nei.J

statistical methodology mcludmg experimental testt of

rV?W survey methods, Studies of wtal statistics collection

methods, new analytical techniques, oblectwe evaluation

of reliability of collected data, and contributions to r,tatlstical theory.

Analytical and Epidemio!ogical Studies. –Report~ presenting analytical or Interpretive $tudies bas?d on wtd

and health statistics, carrying the analysis further than

th~ expository types of reports in the other series.

Documents and Committee Reports.– Final reporto of

major committees concerned ~.ath vital and health ~ta -

tlstics and documents such as r,?commended model vital

r%g]stration Iabm and revize d birth and death certificates.

Data From the National Health Interview Survey .–Statlst]cs on illness, accidental injurtes, disability, use of hospital, medical, dent,al, and other mrv]cez, and other

health-related topics, all based on data collected In the

continuing national household [ntervlet.J survey.

Data From the National Health Examination Survey and

the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.–

Data from dwect examination, tmtlng, and measurement

of national samples of the civillan nomn.$titutlonalm?d

population prowde the basis for (1 ) estimates of the

medically defined prevalence of speclflc diseases In the

Umted States and the distrlbutiom of the population

with respect to physical, phywologlcal, and p$ychoIog}ca[ characterwtlcs and (2) cmalysis of relationships

among the various measurements twthout referents to

an expllclt finite universe of persons.

Data From the Institutionalized Population Srsrveys.-Discontinued in 1975. Reporto from these nrrwys are included in Series 13.

Data on Health Resources Utilization.–Stattstics on the

utilization of health manpo~w-r and facilities providing

SERIES 14.

SERIES 15.

SERIES 20.

SERIES 21.

SERIES 22.

SERIES 23,

For a lird of

long-term care, ambulatory care, hospital care, and family

planning wwices.

Data on Health Resources: Manpower and Faci!ities.–

Statistics on the numbers, geographic distribution, and

characterlsttcs of health resources mcludlng physrclans,

dpntists, nurses, other health occupations, hospitals,

nursing homes, and outpatient facilities.

Data From Speciat Surveys. -Statwtics on health and

health-related topics collected m spec!al surveys that

are not a pwt of the continuing data systems of the

National Center for Health Statlstlcs.

Data on Mortality .–Various statistics on mortality other

than as included in regular annual or monthly reports.

Special analyses by cause crf death, age, and other demographic var[ables; geographic and time series analyses;

and statmIcs on characteristics of deaths not available

from the vital records based on sample surveys of those

records.

Data on Natality, Marriage, and Divorce.–Varlous statistics on natality, mwriage, and divorce other than as

included in regular annual or monthly reports. Special

analyses by demographic variables; geographic and time

ser[es analyses; studies of fertility; and statistics r-m

chamcteristics of births not available from the vital

records based on sample surveys of those records.

Data From the National Mortality and Natality Surveys.–

Discontinued in 1975. Reports from these sample surveys

bawd on vital records are included m Serws 20 and 21,

respectwely.

Data From the National Survey of Family Growth.–

Statrst[cs on fertdlty, famdy formation and dfssolutlon,

family planning, and related maternal and infant health

topics derived fram a periodic survey of a nationwide

probabll]ty sample of ever-married women 15-44 years

of age.

titles of reports published in these series, write to:

Scientific and Technical Information Branch

Nalional Center for Health Statistics

Public Health Service

I-lyattsville, Md. 20782
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

Office of Health Research, Statistics, and Technology

National Center for Health Statistics

3700 East-West Highway

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

HHS 386

ml

.

Third Class PsJ

from the Office of Health Research, Statistics, and Technology

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 81-1163, Series 15, No. 2

for a listing of publications in the VITAL AND HEALTH STATISTICS SERIES call 301-436-NCHS