Computed Risk Factors on the 1998 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data File

Note: Variables that begin with an underscore (_) are calculated from original variables.  Exceptions are RACE--which is calculated from ORACE and HISPANIC-- and _STATE, _PSU, and _RECORD--which are determined before the interview.  A number of calculated variables are used for purposes of weighting data and reflect sample design and other information, and are therefore not included in the text below.  The weighting/sample design  variables are: _RACEG_, _AGEG_,_SEXG_,_CSA,_DENSTR,_DENWT,_IMPAGE,_MSACODE, _GEOWT, _POSTSTR,_RAW,_RECORD,_REGION,_STRATA,_STSTR, and _WT1,_FINALWT.

Safety Belt Usage (formerly called seat belt use)

_RFSEAT2

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they "sometimes", "seldom", or "never" wear seat belts when driving or riding in a car (if seat belt = 3, 4, or 5).

Not At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they "always" or "nearly always", wear seat belts when they drive or ride in a car or "never drive or ride in a car" (if seat belt = 1, 2, or 8).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" how often they wear seat belts and those who "refused" to answer the question (if seat belt = 7, 9, or response missing).

_RFSEAT3

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they "nearly always", "sometimes", "seldom", or "never" wear seat belts when driving or riding in a car (if seat belt = 2, 3, 4, or 5).

Not At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they "always" wear seat belts when they drive or ride in a car (if seat belt = 1).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" how often they wear seat belts, or "never drive or ride in a car"  and those who "refused" to answer the question (if seat belt = 7, 8, 9, or response missing).

Hypertension

_RFHYPE2

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have had their blood pressure checked and have been told that their blood pressure is high ( if blood pressure high = 1).

Not At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have had their blood pressure checked and have not been told that their blood pressure is high (if blood pressure high = 2).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" if they were told that their blood pressure is high and those who "refused" to answer the  question ( if blood pressure high = 7, 9, or response missing).

_BPCHECK
Respondents who report they have had their blood pressure checked within the past two years.

Checked:	Respondents who reported they have had their blood pressure checked within the past two years (blood pressure checked = 1, 2, or 3).

Not Checked:	Respondents who reported they did not have their blood pressure checked with the past two years (blood pressure checked = 4, 5, or 8). 

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" whether they had their blood pressure checked by a health professional or respondents "refused" to respond or response missing (blood pressure checked = 7, 9, or missing).

CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol Screening.  Respondents who report they ever had their blood cholesterol checked  (BLOODCHO)

Ever checked:	    Respondents who report they have had blood cholesterol checked (Q17=1)

Never Checked:  Respondents cholesterol never checked (q17=2)

NA/Refused:	   Other respondents

Cholesterol checked in past five years.  Respondents who had their blood cholesterol checked in past 5 years (_CHOLCHK)

Checked:	Respondents who had blood cholesterol checked and had been checked in past 5 years (Q18=1,2 or 3)

Not Checked:	Were never checked or were checked 5 or more years ago (Q17=2 or Q18=4)

NA/Refused:	All other respondents

Fruits and Vegetables

_FRTINDX
   _Frtserv is an intermediate variable used in calculating this measure

At Risk:            Respondents who did not have 5 or more servings of fruits or vegetables per day

Not At Risk:     Respondents who had 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day

NA/Refused:	 All other respondents

Overweight

_RFOBESE

Respondents who are at or above 120% of ideal weight are described as overweight.  Ideal weight is defined as the mid‑value of a medium frame person from the 1959 Metropolitan Height/Weight tables:

  Males                        Females
 Height (in.) Weight      Height (in.)  Weight
            57         112               52         92
            58         115               53         94
            59         118               54         97
            60         121               55         99
            61         124               56        102
            62         127                57        104
            63         130                58        107
            64         133                59        110
            65         137                60        113
            66         141                61        116
            67         145                62        120
            68         149                63        123
            69         153                64        128
            70         158                65        132
            71         162                66        136
            72         167                67        140
            73         171                68        144
            74         176                69        148
            75         181                70        152
            76         186                71        155
            77         191                72        159
            78         197                73        163
            79         202                74        167

Based on the respondent's height (converted to inches), the weight is divided by the ideal weight from the table and multiplied by 100.              

Formula (for a given sex and height):  percent = 100. * weight / ideal weight

At Risk:	Respondents who are at or above 120% of their ideal weight.

Not At Risk:	Respondents who are less than 120% of their weight values or respondents who refused to answer either question.

   _WTFORHT   (Weight for Height Percent of Median) 

Respondents whose reported height and weight are assigned a percent relative to their ideal weight.  Ideal weight is defined as the mid‑value of a medium frame person from the 1959 Metropolitan Height/Weight tables:

     Males                        Females
Height  Weight    Height  Weight
 (in.)		         (in.)
 57         112             52       92
 58         115             53       94
 59         118             54       97
 60         121             55       99
 61         124             56      102
 62         127             57      104
 63         130             58      107
 64         133             59      110
 65         137             60      113
 66         141             61      116
 67         145             62      120
 68         149             63      123
 69         153             64      128
 70         158             65      132
 71         162             66      136
 72         167             67      140
 73         171             68      144
 74         176             69      148
 75         181             70      152
 76         186             71      155
 77         191             72      159
 78         197             73      163
 79         202             74      167

Based on the respondent's height (converted to inches), the weight is divided by the ideal weight from the table and multiplied by 100.     

Formula (for a given sex and height):  percent = 100. * weight / ideal weight
 
Records missing  height or a weight are assigned the code '99999' (2 implied decimal places). 

*Contact Dr. David Williamson (404 639‑3137) for more information.

_RFWHBMI

Derived from the body mass index.  Body mass index is computed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared:  (weight / height **2). _BMI is an intermediate variable used in calculating this measure.

At Risk:	Females with body mass index greater than or equal to 27.3 and males with body mass index greater than or equal to 27.8.

Not At Risk:	Females with body mass index less than 27.3 percent and males with body mass index less than 27.8.

NA/Refused:	Respondents who "didn't know" their height or weight values or respondents who "refused" to answer either question.

Tobacco Consumption

_RFSMOK2 (Current Smoking)

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and now smoke (smoked 100 cigarettes = 1 and smokeday = 1 or 2.  

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have not smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime or respondents who have smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but currently do not smoke (smoked 100 cigarettes = 2 or smoked 100 cigarettes = 1 and smokeday = 3).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" if they have smoked 100 cigarettes or "refused" to answer the questions (if smoked 100 cigarettes = 7, 9, or response missing or smoked 100 cigarettes = 1 or 2 and smokeday= 9 or response missing).

_SMOKER2

The smoking status variable is computed using the first 2 questions of the smoking section. Each respondent is assigned a code to identify their current smoking status.

Current Smoker‑‑smoked every day:Respondent reported smoking 100 cigarettes in lifetime, and now smokes every day (smoke 100 cigarettes = 1, smokeday= 1).

Current Smoker, smoked some days: Respondent reported smoking 100 cigarettes in lifetime, currently smokes some days (smoke 100 cigarettes = 1, smokeday= 2).

Former Smoker: Respondent reported smoking 100 cigarettes in lifetime but currently does not smoke (smoke 100 cigarettes = 1 and smokeday =3).

Never Smoked:  Respondent reported having never smoked 100 cigarettes in lifetime (smoke 100 cigarettes = 2).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" if they have smoked 100 cigarettes or "refused" to answer the question, or respondents who reported having smoked 100 cigarettes in lifetime but refused to indicate whether they smoke now (if smoked 100 cigarettes = 7, 9, or response missing or smoked 100 cigarettes = 1 and smoke day = 9).

Smokeless Tobacco

_RFTOBAC

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have used smokeless tobacco products and currently use smokeless tobacco products (smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3 and currently use smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3).

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have not used smokeless tobacco products or respondents who have used smokeless tobacco products, but currently do not use smokeless tobacco products (smokeless tobacco = 4 or smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3 and currently use smokeless tobacco = 4).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" whether they have used or currently use smokeless tobacco products, or "refused" to answer the questions, or responses are missing (smokeless tobacco = 7, 9, or missing, or currently use smokeless tobacco = 7, 9, or missing).

_SMKLESS

Current User:	Respondent reported they have used smokeless tobacco products and currently use smokeless tobacco products (smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3 and currently use smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3).

Former User:	Respondent reported that they have used smokeless tobacco products, but currently do not use smokeless tobacco products (smokeless tobacco = 1, 2, or 3 and currently use smokeless tobacco = 4).

Never Used:	Respondent reported that they have never used smokeless tobacco products (smokeless tobacco = 4).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" whether they have used or currently use smokeless tobacco products, or "refused" to answer the questions, or responses are missing (smokeless tobacco = 7, 9, or missing, or currently use smokeless tobacco = 7, 9, or missing).

Alcohol Consumption

_RFDRACU  (Binge Drinking)
At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have had alcoholic beverages in the past month and have had five or more alcoholic drinks on one or more occasions in the past month (alcohol in past month = 1 and five or more drinks = greater than or equal to 1 occasion).

Not at Risk:	Respondents who have not had any alcoholic beverages in the past month or respondents who have had alcoholic beverages but have not had five or more drinks on an occasion (alcohol in past month = 2 or alcohol in past month = 1 and five or more drinks = 88).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" whether they have had five or more drinks on an occasion or respondents who "refused" to answer either question.  Respondents with missing data values are also coded as "refused" (alcohol = 1 and five or more drinks = 77 or 99, or alcohol = 9, or responses missing).

_RFDRDRI ( Drinking and Driving)

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have had alcoholic beverages in the past month and have driven after having too much to drink one or more times in the past month (alcohol = 1 and driven after drinking = greater than or equal to  1 time).      

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have not had any alcoholic beverages in the past month or respondents who reported that they have had alcoholic beverages in the past month but have not driven a car after having too much to drink (alcohol = 2 or alcohol = 1 and driven after drinking = 88).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" whether they have driven after having too much to drink or respondents who refused to answer either question.  Respondents with missing data values are also coded as "refused" (alcohol = 1 and driven after drinking = 77 or 99, or alcohol = 9, or responses missing).

_RFDRCHR (Chronic Drinking)

Derived by calculating the total number of drinks consumed per month:  number of drinks per month = (number of days * number of drinks) * frequency / where 4= (weekly) or 1= (monthly).

At Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have had on the average two or more drinks per day i.e., 60 or more drinks a month (based on the total number of drinks per month).  

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported that they have not had any alcoholic beverages in the past month  (alcohol = 2) or respondents who reported that they have not had greater than 60 drinks a month (based on total number of drinks per month).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported that they "don't know" how many days a week they drank alcoholic beverages (days per week drank alcoholic beverages = 777) or "don't know" how many drinks they drank on the average (number of drinks on the average = 777) or respondents who "refused" to answer one or all of the questions (alcohol = 9 or days per week drank alcoholic beverages = 999 or number of drinks on the average = 999).  Respondents with missing data values are also coded as "refused".

_DRNKMO ( Total Alcoholic Drinks A Month) 
 
Derived by calculating the total number of drinks consumed per month:  number of drinks per month = (number of days * number of drinks) * frequency / where 4= (weekly) or 1= (monthly).

Respondents who reported that they have not drank anyalcoholic beverages in the past month are assigned the code '8888'.

Respondents who refused or did not know how to respond to the questions are assigned the code '9999'.
Physical Inactivity/Activity 

See article "Description of the Scoring System for the Physical Activity Questions of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System" written by Carl Caspersen, PhD (770/488‑5513) or computation of the scoring system (activity levels):

1 = Sedentary:    No reported activity.

2 = Irregular Activity:  Any physical activity or pair of activities done for less than 20 minutes or less than three times per week.

3 = Regular Activity:  Any physical activity or pair of activities done for a total of 20 or more minutes three or more times per week that does not meet the 1990 objective.

4 = 1990 Objective:  Any physical activity or pair of physical activities that requires rhythmic contraction of large muscle groups at 60% of functional capacity for 20 or more minutes three or more times per week.

_TOTINDX (Physical Activity Level) 

1 = Physically Inactive (formerly labeled Sedentary from 1984 to 1991):	No reported activity.  Measures Year 2000 Objective 1.5.

2 = Irregular Activity: Any physical activity or pair of activities done for less than 20 minutes or less than three times per week.

3 = Regular Activity:  Any physical activity or pair of activities done for a total of 20 or more minutes three or more times per week, less than 50% of capacity that does not meet the Year 2000 objective.

4 = Year 2000 Objective (Regular and Vigorous Activity):	Any physical activity or pair of physical activities that requires rhythmic contraction of large muscle groups at 50% of functional capacity for 20 or more minutes three or more times per week.  Measures Year 2000 Objective 1.4.

_RFLIFES (Sedentary Lifestyle)

See article "Description of the Scoring System for the Physical Activity Questions of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System" written by Carl Caspersen, PhD (770/488‑5513) for computation of the scoring system.

At Risk:	Respondents who reported no physical activity (physical activity 1 = 2) or who reported a physical activity or pair of activities that were done for 20 minutes or less, fewer than three times per week.

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported a physical activity or pair of activities done for a total of more than 20 minutes, three or more times per week (physical activity 1 = 1 and physical activity 2 = 1 or 2).

NA/Refused:	Respondents who reported a that they "don't know" whether they have participated in any physical activities during the past month (physical activity 1 = 7) or respondents who "refused" to answer (physical activity 1 = 9) or give the name of the physical activity (physical activity 1 = 9 or what type of physical activity = 99).  Respondents with missing data values are also coded as "refused".

_RFEGUL ( Regular and Sustained Activity Level)

At Risk:	Respondents who reported a physical activity or pair of physical activities that were done for 30 minutes or more per session, five or more times per week, regardless of intensity. Measures Year 2000 Objective 1.3.

Not at Risk:	Respondents who reported no physical activity or pair of physical activities that were done for less than 30 minutes and/or fewer than five times per week.

Demographics

Other Computed Variables

Race (Race/ethnicity)

Note that starting in 1995 persons in the Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native categories who state they are Hispanic are coded as Hispanic).

The race question and the Hispanic question are used to create the new race variable.  The new race variable includes Hispanic categories.  The valid codes are computed as:

White Non-Hispanic:  Respondents who reported that they are white but not of Hispanic origin.  01 = if race=1 and Hispanic origin=2, 7 or 9
	
Black Non-Hispanic:  Respondents who reported that they are black but not of Hispanic origin.  02 = if race=2 and Hispanic origin=2, 7 or 9

White Hispanic:  Respondents who reported that they are white and of Hispanic origin.  03 = if race=1 and Hispanic origin=1

Black Hispanic:  Respondents who reported that they are black and of Hispanic origin.  04 = if race=2 and Hispanic origin=1

Other Hispanic:  Respondents who reported that they are of other race, as well as those respondents who "don't know" their race or "refused" to give their race and are also of Hispanic origin.  05 = if race = 6, 7, 8 or 9  missing and Hispanic=1

Asian or Pacific Islander: Respondents who reported that they are Asian or Pacific Islander and not of  Hispanic origin.  06 = if race=3 and Hispanic =2, 7or 9

American Indian, Alaska Native: Respondents who reported that they are American Indian/Alaska Native  and not of Hispanic origin.  07 = if race=4 and Hispanic= 2, 7 or 9

Other: Respondents who reported that they are of some other race group not listed in the responses for the  question and are not of Hispanic origin.  08 = if race=5 and Hispanic=2, 7 or 9

Don't know/Not sure: Respondents who "don't know" their race and "don't know" whether they are of Hispanic origin.  77 = if race=7 or race value is missing and Hispanic=2,  7 or 9 or Hispanic value missing

Refused: Respondents who "refused" to give their race and are not of Hispanic origin or "don't know" if they are of Hispanic origin or "refused" to give the information.  99 = if race=9 and Hispanic=2, 7 or 9 or Hispanic value missing

_RACEG

White, Non-Hispanic: Respondents who reported that they are white but not of Hispanic origin.  01 = if race=1 and Hispanic origin=2
Non-White or Hispanic

Don’t Know, Refused, Missing Don't know/Not sure:  Respondents who "don't know" their race and "don't know" whether they are of Hispanic origin.  77 = if race=7 or race value is missing and Hispanic=2 or 7 or value is missing;  or those who "refused" to give their race and are not of Hispanic origin or "don't know" if they are of Hispanic origin or "refused" to give the information.  99 = if race=9 and Hispanic=2 or Hispanic=7 or Hispanic=9 or Hispanic value is missing.

RiskFactor_98.rtf