Description

VIG10FTP reports the time period (never, day, week, month, year) that sample adults used to describe the frequency of vigorous leisure-time activity that they engaged in. Prior to 2020, the survey text inquired specifically about exercise that lasted at least 10 minutes This variable must be interpreted in conjunction with VIG10FNO, which reports the number of units corresponding to the time period in VIG10FTP. For example, a respondent who runs once a day would have a VIG10FNO value of 1 (to indicate 1 time) and a VIG10FTP value of 2 (which is the code for "day").

VIG10FWK, a recoded variable created by the staff at the National Center for Health Statistics, draws upon the information in VIG10FTP and VIG10FNO and reports the frequency of vigorous leisure-time physical activities in terms of a single time unit, times per week.

Vigorous leisure-time activities are described in the survey question itself as activities that "cause heavy sweating or large increases in breathing or heart rate." The Field Representative's Manuals provides examples of vigorous activities, although these examples were not routinely shared with respondents. These examples include fast walking, fast bicycling, jogging, strenuous swimming or sports play, vigorous aerobic dance, and strenuous gardening.

For further discussion of data collection on leisure-time physical activity in general for 1997 forward, see VIG10FNO (Frequency of vigorous activity 10+ minutes: Number of units).

Comparability

VIG10FTP is available beginning in quarter 3 of 1997. For data on the frequency of respondents' vigorous activity in the first half of 1997, see VIG20FTP2.

The question wording for VIG10FTP changed slightly in 2004. For all years from 1997 forward, the survey section on physical activity began with the statement, "The next questions are about physical activities (exercise, sports, physically active hobbies ...) that you may do in your leisure time." Beginning in 2004, the question about the frequency of vigorous activities reiterated the point that respondents were only to report leisure-time activities. From 1997 through 2003, interviewers asked, "How often do you do vigorous activities ..."; for 2004 forward, they asked, "How often do you do vigorous leisure-time physical activities ..." Thus, beginning in 2004, the question wording made explicit what had previously been implicit and had been specified in the introductory statement only.

A second minor change to the survey question was instituted in 1999, when the form added the following instruction to interviewers: "If necessary, prompt with: How many times per day, per week, per month, or per year do you do these activities?" This prompt gave explicit directions to interviewers on how to proceed if respondents gave a vague answer such as "quite often," "once in a while," or "hardly ever." However, while these directions were missing from the survey questionnaire before 1999, they were included in the Field Representative's Manuals for 1997-2000, which directed, "Prompt with 'How many times per day, per week, per month, or per year do you do these activities?'"
Furthermore, the 1997-2000 Manuals stated, "Always probe for an exact number. If the Sample Adult reports a range or interval, assist the Sample Adult in making an estimate by probing. For example, you might ask "Could you give me a more exact number?"

A third change to the questionnaire text in 2020 removed the requirement that the respondent reports activities only lasting at least ten minutes.

Finally, major questionnaire changes introduced in 2019 may affect comparability with earlier years. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 1997-2018, 2020, 2022

Weights

• 1997-2018, 2020, 2022 : SAMPWEIGHT