Support #2059
open
BMI, weight and height variables
50%
Description
I am interested in looking at BMI across different years but it seems this variable (or weight and height which would allow for BMI to be calculated) is only present in wave 1, is this true? In the understanding society webpage it says “A range of bio-medical measures were collected from around 20,000 adults, which included blood pressure, weight, height” but am struggling to find them, are they available anywhere? Thank you.
Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team 10 months ago
- Category set to Biomarkers and Genetics
- Status changed from New to Feedback
- % Done changed from 0 to 50
- Private changed from Yes to No
Hello Beate,
I recommend exploring the Health, biomarkers, genetics and epigenetics data special dataset. This section provides, among others, comprehensive information, including questionnaires, user guides, and fieldwork documents, regarding the follow-up health assessment visits conducted by registered nurses during waves 2 and 3 of the study.
During these visits, various biomedical measures were collected, such as blood pressure, weight, height, waist measurement, body fat, and grip strength, among others.
For access to the Nurse Health Assessment data, you'll need to refer to the study SN:7251 Understanding Society: Waves 2-3 Nurse Health Assessment, 2010-2012. Please note that certain variables are excluded from the EUL version due to disclosure issues. These variables can be accessed through the Study SN:7587 Understanding Society: Waves 2-3 Nurse Health Assessment, 2010-12 Special Licence.
For further details on accessing the data, please visit the Accessing data section.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team
Updated by Beate Panko 10 months ago
This is very useful, thank you. Does this mean BMI (or weight and height) information not available for years after 2012?
Updated by Understanding Society User Support Team 10 months ago
Hello Beate,
Indeed, you are correct regarding the adult questionnaire. Additionally, there is information available for young individuals aged 10-15 across waves 2 (2010-11), 4 (2012-13), 6 (2014-15), and 8 (2016-17). To explore more variables you may search for “height” using our variable search engine.
This data is available within the Study SN:6614 Understanding Society: Waves 1-13, 2009-2022 and Harmonised BHPS: Waves 1-18, 1991-2009
Furthermore, in Wave 16 (scheduled for release in November 2026), we will be collecting additional biological data from our participants. This will include blood and stool samples, blood pressure readings, weight, height, and waist measurements.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team