Description

For sample children and sample adults (and prior to 2019, persons) in families for whom it was often or sometimes true in the last 30 days that they worried that food would run out before they got money to buy more FSRUNOUT, or that food that was bought didn't last and they didn't have money to get more FSNOTLAST, or that they couldn't afford to eat balanced meals FSBALANC, FSWEIGHT indicates whether any adults in the family lost weight 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, FSWEIGHT reports whether the adult family respondent completing the questionnaire lost weight because there wasn't enough money for food in the past 30 days.

FSWEIGHT 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

This variable was introduced in 2011 and, with the exception of changes in the wording of the question, is comparable over time.

Changes in question wording over time

In 2011, 2012, and the quarters 1 and 2 of 2013, family respondents were asked if they had ever lost weight 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 persons 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 lose weight because there wasn't enough money for food."

In 2014-2018, the wording of the FSWEIGHT question was the same as it was in all earlier years, with the exception of some families in quarters 3 and 4 of 2013. Beginning in 2019, the wording of the FSWEIGHT 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 in 2013 (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.). 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, FSWEIGHT 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