WEIGHTKID is a 3-digit-numeric variable.

000: Not in Universe
996: Not available
997: Unknown-refused
998: Unknown-not ascertained
999: Unknown-don't know

Description

This variable provides responses to the question, "How much does {S.C name} weigh now (without shoes)?" Respondents could report child's weight in either pounds or metric format (kilograms), but metric responses were converted into pounds (less than 1% of respondents reported in metric form).

Questions about children's current weight (and height) were limited to children aged
12-17 years. This limitation was introduced because of serious concerns about the reporting accuracy of weight information for younger children due to the rapid growth of children at younger ages. An internal consistency check was also included in the survey instrument to improve data quality: extreme values triggered a request for interviewer verification of data entry and re-asking weight (and height).

Extreme values for WEIGHTKID (and for HEIGHTKID) were also subject to data editing. in part to protect the confidentiality of sample children who might be identifiable by their unusual physical characteristics. The sex-specific weight-for-age and height-for-age values of the highest 1.5 percent of records and the lowest 1.5 percent of records (based on values from the 2004 - 2008 NHIS) were changed to "96" ("Not available"). In cases where such extreme values were reported for either current height or current weight, the data for both variables were changed to "Not available" on the public use data file.

Comparability

This variable is completely comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 2008-2018

Weights

• 2008-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT