National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ) is a statistical survey and research program run by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in the United States .
Task
The goals of the NHANES are to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States and to document changes over time. This is achieved through a combination of patient consultation and physical examination. The interview includes demographic , socio-economic , diet and health-related issues. During the examination, emphasis is placed on medical, dental and physiological aspects and it also includes laboratory tests by medical staff.
Results
The first NHANES was carried out in 1971. The results of the study help determine the prevalence of relevant diseases in the population as well as risk factors for diseases. The information obtained is then used to assess nutritional status and its associations with promoting health and preventing diseases. Also national unity tables such as the walk from the NHANES average height , the body weight and designated as a healthy blood pressure forth. Epidemiological studies and health science research programs use this data to provide advice and recommendations of importance to the population and to establish and improve health programs and services, as well as to increase knowledge about health.