Table of Contents

Locator Record

Title: Physical Activity (PAQ_F )
Contact Number: 1-866-441-NCHS
Years of Content: 2009 - 2010
First Published: September, 2011
Revised: NA
Access Constraints: None
Use Constraints: None
Geographic Coverage: National
Subject:Includes questions related to daily, leisure time and sedentary activities.
Record Source: NHANES 2009 - 2010
Survey Methodology: NHANES 2009 - 2010 is a stratified multistage probability sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population of the U.S.
Medium: NHANES Web site; SAS transport files

Component Description

The physical activity questionnaire (prefix PAQ) is based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and includes questions related to daily activities, leisure time activities, and sedentary activities. Additional information about the GPAQ can be obtained at the World Health Organization website.

Eligible Sample

All survey participants 2 or more years of age were eligible. Proxy respondents answered the questions for 2-11 year olds. The questions asked varied by age group. The target group in the codebook indicates which age groups were asked which questions.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

For respondents 2 to 11 and 16 or more years of age, the questions were asked before the physical examination, in the home, by trained interviewers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system.

For respondents 12 to 15 years of age, these questions were asked at the mobile examination center, by trained interviewers, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system as part of the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) interview.

Data Processing and Editing

Limited editing was done on the data. Respondents who reported an average of 24 hours or more per day of activity had their time variables (PAD615, PAD630, PAD645, PAD660, PAD675, PAD680) set to missing. Users should carefully inspect the data for other values they may consider too high.

Analytic Notes

Since the PAQ questions for respondents 2 to 11 and 16 or more years of age were asked in the household interview, the interview sample weights should be used in their analysis. However, if the data is joined with data from the MEC, the MEC sample weights should be used. Analysis of the PAQ questions for 12 to 15 year olds should use the MEC sample weights as the questions were asked in the MEC.

Suggested metabolic equivalent (MET) scores for the activities listed in this file are included in Appendix 1.

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
2 YEARS - 150 YEARS

PAQ706 - Days physically active at least 60 min

Variable Name:
PAQ706
SAS Label:
Days physically active at least 60 min
English Text:
Now I'd like to ask you some questions about {SP's} activities. During the past 7 days, on how many days was {SP} physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day? Add up all the time {SP} spent in any kind of physical activity that increased {his/her} heart rate and made {him/her} breathe hard some of the time.
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
2 YEARS - 11 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 7 Range of Values 2224 2224
77 Refused 1 2225
99 Don't know 3 2228
. Missing 7543 9771

PAD590 - Hours watch TV or videos past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD590
SAS Label:
Hours watch TV or videos past 30 days
English Text:
Now I will ask you about TV watching and computer use. Over the past 30 days, on average how many hours per day did {SP} sit and watch TV or videos? Would you say ...
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
2 YEARS - 11 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Less than 1 hour 285 285
1 1 hour 539 824
2 2 hours 734 1558
3 3 hours 320 1878
4 4 hours 159 2037
5 5 hours or more 158 2195
6 None 31 2226
77 Refused 1 2227
99 Don't know 1 2228
. Missing 7543 9771

PAD600 - Hours use computer past 30 days

Variable Name:
PAD600
SAS Label:
Hours use computer past 30 days
English Text:
Over the past 30 days, on average how many hours per day did {SP} use a computer or play computer games outside of school? Would you say ...
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
2 YEARS - 11 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Less than 1 hour 764 764
1 1 hour 407 1171
2 2 hours 164 1335
3 3 hours 64 1399
4 4 hours 20 1419
5 5 hours or more 35 1454
6 None 773 2227
77 Refused 1 2228
99 Don't know 0 2228
. Missing 7543 9771

PAQ605 - Vigorous work activity

Variable Name:
PAQ605
SAS Label:
Vigorous work activity
English Text:
Next I am going to ask you about the time {you spend/SP spends} doing different types of physical activity in a typical week. Please answer these questions even if {you do not consider yourself/SP does not consider himself/herself} to be a physically active person. Think first about the time {you spend/SP spends} doing work. Think of work as the things that {you have/SP has} to do such as paid or unpaid work, studying or training, household chores, and yard work. In answering the following questions, 'vigorous-intensity activities' are activities that require hard physical effort and cause large increases in breathing or heart rate, and 'moderate-intensity activities' are activities that require moderate physical effort and cause small increases in breathing or heart rate. Does {your/SP's} work involve vigorous-intensity activity that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate like carrying or lifting heavy loads, digging or construction work for at least 10 minutes continuously?
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1236 1236
2 No 6263 7499 PAQ620
7 Refused 0 7499 PAQ620
9 Don't know 1 7500 PAQ620
. Missing 2271 9771

PAQ610 - Days vigorous work

Variable Name:
PAQ610
SAS Label:
Days vigorous work
English Text:
In a typical week, on how many days {do you/does SP} do vigorous-intensity activities as part of your work?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Vigorous-intensity activity causes large increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) HARD EDIT: 1-7. (MEC interview version) HARD EDIT: Less than 1 day or more than 7 days. Error Message: The number of days should be between 1 and 7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 7
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 1235 1235
77 Refused 0 1235 PAQ620
99 Don't know 1 1236 PAQ620
. Missing 8535 9771

PAD615 - Minutes vigorous-intensity work

Variable Name:
PAD615
SAS Label:
Minutes vigorous-intensity work
English Text:
How much time {do you/does SP} spend doing vigorous-intensity activities at work on a typical day?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Think about a typical day when you do vigorous-intensity activities during your work. PROBE IF NEEDED: Vigorous-intensity activity causes large increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 HOURS. SOFT EDIT WORDING: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING VIGOROUS-INTENSITY ACTIVITIES AT WORK ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. HARD EDIT: <10 MINUTES. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 hours. Error Message: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING VIGOROUS-INTENSITY ACTIVITIES AT WORK ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: Less than 10 minutes or 24 hours or more. Error Message: The time should be 10 minutes or more, but less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 960 Range of Values 1229 1229
7777 Refused 0 1229
9999 Don't know 3 1232
. Missing 8539 9771

PAQ620 - Moderate work activity

Variable Name:
PAQ620
SAS Label:
Moderate work activity
English Text:
Does {your/SP's} work involve moderate-intensity activity that causes small increases in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking or carrying light loads for at least 10 minutes continuously?
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2537 2537
2 No 4962 7499 PAQ635
7 Refused 0 7499 PAQ635
9 Don't know 1 7500 PAQ635
. Missing 2271 9771

PAQ625 - Number of days moderate work

Variable Name:
PAQ625
SAS Label:
Number of days moderate work
English Text:
In a typical week, on how many days {do you/does SP} do moderate-intensity activities as part of {your/his/her} work?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Moderate-intensity activity causes small increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) HARD EDIT: 1-7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS. (MEC interview version) HARD EDIT: Less than 1 day or more than 7 days Error Message: The number of days should be between 1 and 7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 7
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 2534 2534
77 Refused 0 2534 PAQ635
99 Don't know 3 2537 PAQ635
. Missing 7234 9771

PAD630 - Minutes moderate-intensity work

Variable Name:
PAD630
SAS Label:
Minutes moderate-intensity work
English Text:
How much time {do you/does SP} spend doing moderate-intensity activities at work on a typical day?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Think about a typical day when you do moderate-intensity activities during your work. PROBE IF NEEDED: Moderate-intensity activity causes small increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 HOURS. SOFT EDIT WORDING: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING MODERATE-INTENSITY ACTIVITIES AT WORK ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. HARD EDIT: <10 MINUTES. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 hours. Error Message: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING MODERATE-INTENSITY ACTIVITIES AT WORK ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: Less than 10 minutes or 24 hours or more. Error Message: The time should be 10 minutes or more, but less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 1080 Range of Values 2527 2527
7777 Refused 0 2527
9999 Don't know 3 2530
. Missing 7241 9771

PAQ635 - Walk or bicycle

Variable Name:
PAQ635
SAS Label:
Walk or bicycle
English Text:
The next questions exclude the physical activity of work that you have already mentioned. Now I would like to ask you about the usual way {you travel/SP travels} to and from places. For example to work, for shopping, to school. {Do you/Does SP} walk or use a bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places?
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2247 2247
2 No 5252 7499 PAQ650
7 Refused 0 7499 PAQ650
9 Don't know 1 7500 PAQ650
. Missing 2271 9771

PAQ640 - Number of days walk or bicycle

Variable Name:
PAQ640
SAS Label:
Number of days walk or bicycle
English Text:
In a typical week, on how many days {do you/does SP} walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places?
English Instructions:
(SP interview version) HARD EDIT: 1-7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS (MEC interview version) HARD EDIT: Less than 1 day or more than 7 days Error Message: The number of days should be between 1 and 7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 7
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 2247 2247
77 Refused 0 2247 PAQ650
99 Don't know 0 2247 PAQ650
. Missing 7524 9771

PAD645 - Minutes walk/bicycle for transportation

Variable Name:
PAD645
SAS Label:
Minutes walk/bicycle for transportation
English Text:
How much time {do you/does SP} spend walking or bicycling for travel on a typical day?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Think about a typical day when you walk or bicycle for travel. (SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 HOURS. SOFT EDIT WORDING: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS WALKING OR BICYCLING TO GET TO AND FROM PLACES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. HARD EDIT: <10 MINUTES. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 hours. Error Message: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS WALKING OR BICYCLING TO GET TO AND FROM PLACES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: Less than 10 minutes or 24 hours or more. Error Message: The time should be 10 minutes or more, but less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 960 Range of Values 2239 2239
7777 Refused 0 2239
9999 Don't know 5 2244
. Missing 7527 9771

PAQ650 - Vigorous recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAQ650
SAS Label:
Vigorous recreational activities
English Text:
The next questions exclude the work and transportation activities that you have already mentioned. Now I would like to ask you about sports, fitness and recreational activities. {Do you/Does SP} do any vigorous-intensity sports, fitness, or recreational activities that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate like running or basketball for at least 10 minutes continuously?
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1892 1892
2 No 5607 7499 PAQ665
7 Refused 0 7499 PAQ665
9 Don't know 1 7500 PAQ665
. Missing 2271 9771

PAQ655 - Days vigorous recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAQ655
SAS Label:
Days vigorous recreational activities
English Text:
In a typical week, on how many days {do you/does SP} do vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Vigorous-intensity activity causes large increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) HARD EDIT: 1-7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS (MEC interview version) HARD EDIT: Less than 1 day or more than 7 days Error Message: The number of days should be between 1 and 7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 7
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 1892 1892
77 Refused 0 1892 PAQ665
99 DON'T KNOW 0 1892 PAQ665
. Missing 7879 9771

PAD660 - Minutes vigorous recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAD660
SAS Label:
Minutes vigorous recreational activities
English Text:
How much time {do you/does SP} spend doing vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities on a typical day?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Think about a typical day when you do vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities. (SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 HOURS. SOFT EDIT WORDING: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING VIGOROUS-INTENSITY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. HARD EDIT: <10 MINUTES. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 hours. Error Message: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING VIGOROUS-INTENSITY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: Less than 10 minutes or 24 hours or more. Error Message: The time should be 10 minutes or more, but less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 480 Range of Values 1889 1889
7777 Refused 0 1889
9999 Don't know 1 1890
. Missing 7881 9771

PAQ665 - Moderate recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAQ665
SAS Label:
Moderate recreational activities
English Text:
{Do you/Does SP} do any moderate-intensity sports, fitness, or recreational activities that cause a small increase in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking, bicycling, swimming, or golf for at least 10 minutes continuously?
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2977 2977
2 No 4521 7498 PAD680
7 Refused 0 7498 PAD680
9 Don't know 2 7500 PAD680
. Missing 2271 9771

PAQ670 - Days moderate recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAQ670
SAS Label:
Days moderate recreational activities
English Text:
In a typical week, on how many days {do you/does SP} do moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities cause small increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) HARD EDIT: 1-7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS (MEC interview version) HARD EDIT: Less than 1 day or more than 7 days Error Message: The number of days should be between 1 and 7. ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 7
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 2975 2975
77 Refused 0 2975 PAD680
99 Don't know 2 2977 PAD680
. Missing 6794 9771

PAD675 - Minutes moderate recreational activities

Variable Name:
PAD675
SAS Label:
Minutes moderate recreational activities
English Text:
How much time {do you/does SP} spend doing moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities on a typical day?
English Instructions:
PROBE IF NEEDED: Think about a typical day when you do moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities. PROBE IF NEEDED: Moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities cause small increases in breathing or heart rate and is done for at least 10 minutes continuously. (SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 HOURS. SOFT EDIT WORDING: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING MODERATE-INTENSITY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. HARD EDIT: <10 MINUTES. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: >4 hours. Error Message: INTERVIEWER, YOU HAVE RECORDED THAT THE SP SPENDS MORE THAN 4 HOURS DOING MODERATE-INTENSITY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON A TYPICAL DAY. PLEASE CONFIRM WITH SP THAT OVER 4 HOURS IS CORRECT. HARD EDIT: Less than 10 minutes or 24 hours or more. Error Message; The time should be 10 minutes or more, but less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 600 Range of Values 2969 2969
7777 Refused 0 2969
9999 Don't know 2 2971
. Missing 6800 9771

PAD680 - Minutes sedentary activity

Variable Name:
PAD680
SAS Label:
Minutes sedentary activity
English Text:
The following question is about sitting or reclining at work, at home, or at school. Include time spent sitting at a desk, sitting with friends, traveling in a car, bus, or train, reading, playing cards, watching television, or using a computer. Do not include time spent sleeping. How much time {do you/does SP} usually spend sitting or reclining on a typical day?
English Instructions:
(SP interview version) SOFT EDIT: >17 HOURS. HARD EDIT: >24 HOURS. ENTER NUMBER OF MINUTES OR HOURS (MEC interview version) SOFT EDIT: 18 hours or more. Error Message: Please verify times of 18 hours or more. HARD EDIT: 24 hours or more. Error Message: The time should be less than 24 hours. ENTER NUMBER (OF MINUTES OR HOURS)
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 1200 Range of Values 7476 7476
7777 Refused 0 7476
9999 Don't know 18 7494
. Missing 2277 9771

PAAQUEX - Questionnaire source flag for weighting

Variable Name:
PAAQUEX
SAS Label:
Questionnaire source flag for weighting
English Text:
Questionnaire source flag for weighting
Target Gender:
Both males and females
Target Age:
2 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Sample Person Interview Questionnaire Targets (B(2-11) and (B(16-150) 9119 9119
2 MEC CAPI Questionnaire Targets (B(12-15) 652 9771
. Missing 0 9771

Appendix 1. Suggested MET Scores

Variable Label Score
PAD605 Vigorous work-related activity 8.0
PAD630 Moderate work-related activity 4.0
PAD645 Walking or bicycling for transportation 4.0
PAD660 Vigorous leisure-time physical activity 8.0
PAD675 Moderate leisure-time physical activity 4.0