Description

For sample adults in 2002 who had ever used vitamins for their own health or treatment (VITEV) and had used high dose or megavitamin therapy for this purpose (VITMEGAEV) during the past 12 months (VITYR), VITYVITAD indicates whether the respondent had taken vitamins A and/or D in high dose.

Respondents who acknowledged using high dose or megavitamin therapy for their own health or treatment during the past 12 months (i.e., a "Yes" in VITYR) were shown a flash card with a list of 10 vitamins and asked, "During the past 12 months, did you take any of the following vitamins in high dose?" Respondents were told that they "may choose more than one."

Related Variables

Vitamins A and/or D are one of 12 vitamin/mineral supplements recognized by the NHIS in various years that respondents could report using during the past 12 months.

Comparability

VITYVITAD is only available for 2002.

As noted in the description of the variable, VITAMINA reports respondents' use of vitamin A in 1992 and 2000. Researchers wishing to combine or compare that variable with VITYVITAD should exercise caution. VITAMINA reports the use of only vitamin A, and there is no way to determine whether a "Yes" response to VITYVITAD is an indication of a respondent's taking only vitamin A, only vitamin D, or both.

Moreover, VITYVITAD--and all other variables from 2002 pertaining to the use of particular vitamins/minerals in the past 12 months--indicates whether the respondent took vitamins A and/or D as part of high dose or megavitamin therapy. The 2002 Field Representative's Manual defines such therapy as "the use of vitamins in excess of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) established by the National Academy of Sciences, Food and Nutrition Board." By contrast, an affirmative response to VITAMINA indicates the use of any amount of vitamin A in the past 12 months.

Universe

Availability

• 2002

Weights

• 2002 : SAMPWEIGHT