Description

For sample children and sample adults (and prior to 2019, all persons) in families for whom it was sometimes or often true that the family couldn't afford to eat balanced meals (FSBALANC), or that they worried that food would run out before getting to buy more (FSRUNOUT), or that the food they bought did not last and they did not have money to buy more (FSNOTLAST), FSATELESS reports whether any adults in the family ate less than they felt they should because there wasn't enough money for food in the past 30 days. In 2011, 2012, quarters 1 and 2 of 2013, and 2014-2018, FSATELESS reports whether the adult family respondent completing the questionnaire ate less than they felt they should because there wasn't enough money for food in the past 30 days.

FSATELESS is one of a set of variables comprising the Family Food Security Supplement, designed to study 30-day family food security. For more information about the measurement of 30-day family food security or for a list of other variables in the Family Food Security Supplement, please refer to FSRAWSCORE).

Comparability

Changes in question wording and universe affect the comparability of this variable over time.

Changes in question wording over time

In 2011, 2012, and quarters 1 and 2 of 2013, family respondents were asked if they had ever eaten less than they should because there was not enough money for food. This question did not apply to other adults in the family. In quarters 3 and 4 of 2013, a field test, in which a random number generator was used to determine which of two versions of this question would be asked. In the 2013 field test, half of families were asked the question version that asked only about the family respondent, and the other half were asked a modified, family-style version of the question: "In the last 30 days, did you or other adults in your family ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money for food."

In 2014-2018, the wording of the FSATELESS question reverted to the version asked only about the family respondent, with the exception of some families in quarters 3 and 4 of 2013. Beginning in 2019, the wording of the FSATELESS question was changed to the modified, family-style version of the question previously asked in the 2013 field test described above.

Users can combine all versions of this question into a simpler coding scheme by using only the first digit of the recoded responses (i.e., condense all 10/11/12 responses into a single no category, condense all 20/21/22 responses into a single yes category, etc.). However, the inclusion of other family members as having a potential yes response to this question may affect comparability between the 2011-2012 and 2014-2018, and the 2013 and 2019-forward samples; persons wishing to retain the distinction based on respondent type should use the detailed two-digit codes.

Beginning in 2019, NHIS data collection changed to select only one sample adult and sample child per household. Accordingly, for 2019-forward, FSATELESS is only available for the sample child age 0-17 and the sample adult age 18 and older.

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

• 2011-2023

Weights

• 2011-2018 : PERWEIGHT
• 2019-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT