Description

For sample adults, CHEESEMO reports the frequency with which the respondent consumed cheese. Other survey years report food frequency in a standardized format, recording the number of times a food was consumed and the corresponding time unit. Food frequencies in 2005 are instead classified into pre-defined frequency categories. Researchers interested in using all years of available data may consider modifying CHEESENO and CHEESETP to correspond to the pre-defined categories used in CHEESEMO.

CHEESEMO is part of a series of variables initiated in 1987 related to food, food knowledge, and cancer. For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Data users combining CHEESEMO with CHEESENO and CHEESETP should be aware the types of cheese included differ slightly between survey years. All survey years other than 1992 specify that cheese includes cheese alone as well as mixed into or part of other dishes like casseroles. Prior to 2005, additional information about which types of cheese to include was classified by type of cheese (hard, soft, processed, cream cheese, low-fat or calorie reduced), and the question specified not to include cottage cheese. Beginning in 2005, these types of cheese were not specified. Additionally, beginning in 2005 cream cheese was no longer included as a cheese, and the definition specified that cheese included cheese as a snack or on burgers, sandwiches, or pizza. The survey question in 2010 informed respondents not to include cheese on pizza, however the field representative's manual states that cheese on pizza should be included. Other than these slight changes in what types of cheese are included, there are no comparability issues.

Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 2005

Weights

• 2005 : SAMPWEIGHT