National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES ) is a statistical survey and research program of the National Center for Health Statistics ( NCHS ) in the United States.

Task

The goals of NHANES are to raise the health status and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. and to document changes over time. This is achieved through a combination of patient interview and physical examination. The interview includes demographic, socioeconomic, dietäre and health related issues. In the investigation emphasis is placed on medical, dental and physiological aspects defined and they also included laboratory tests by medical personnel.

Results

The first NHANES was conducted in 1971. The results of the study will help to determine the prevalence of relevant diseases in the population and the risk factors for disease. Subsequently, the information obtained is used to assess the nutritional status and its association with the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. From the NHANES also emerge country-wide unit tables such as the average size, body weight and blood pressure, referred to as healthy. Epidemiological studies and health science research programs use this information to issue for the people important advice and recommendations and to establish and improve health programs and services and also to increase knowledge about health.