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DITATKINYR
Used Atkins diet, past 12 months
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Description

For sample adults in 2002, 2007, and 2012 who had ever used the Atkins diet for two weeks or more for health reasons (DITATKINEV) and for sample children in 2007 and 2012, DITATKINYR reports whether the person had used the Atkins diet for two weeks or more for health reasons in the past 12 months.

Special diets--including the Atkins, macrobiotic, Ornish, Pritikin, South Beach, vegetarian, and Zone diets--were one of many alternative health treatment modalities included in the Complementary and Alternative Health Supplements.

In addition, respondents who had used any of the specified special diets in the past 12 months were asked whether the diets were used to treat a specific medical condition and, if so, what that condition was. To learn more about these variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS drop-down menus and search function.

Definitions 

The 2002 Field Representative's Manual provides the following definition:

According to the Atkins diet, obesity results from the over-consumption of carbohydrates. Therefore, the diet emphasizes a drastic reduction in the daily intake of carbohydrates (40 grams or less), countered by an increase in protein and fat. As suggested by proponents, by reducing the intake of carbohydrates typically consumed for energy, the body naturally loses weight by burning stored fat.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2007 and 2012 Field Representative's Manuals provide a truncated version of that definition:

The Atkins diet emphasizes a drastic reduction in the daily intake of carbohydrates (40 grams or less), countered by an increase in protein and fat.

In 2007 and 2012 field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

Comparability

In 2007, sample children were added to the universe for this question. In 2007 only, the sample child universe was not restricted by if the sample child had ever used atkins diet (DITATKINEV). Because of this expanded universe, the number of negative responses for DITATKINYR is much higher in 2007. Otherwise, there are no comparability issues.

Universe

  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever used the Atkins diet for two weeks or more for health reasons.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children under age 18 who have used the Atkins diet for two weeks or more for health reasons in the past 12 months.
  • 2012: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children between the ages of 4 and 17 who have used Atkins diet for two weeks or more for health reasons.

Availability

  • 2002, 2007, 2012

Weights