Understanding Society User Support

Hello Ömer,

The osm_hh variable is the origin household identifier, which links sample members to the household they come from. This allows for identifying sample members who are connected to each other, either because they were co-residents at some point or shared a connection through others who were co-residents.

For more details, please refer to the Family Matrix xhhrel User Guide here: https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/documentation/user-guides/6614_main_survey_user_guide_family_matrix_xhhrel.pdf

The BMI youth variables (weight and height) were removed from the study due to the high potential for measurement error in self-reported data. Youth may underreport or overreport their weight and height, either unintentionally or due to social desirability bias. Additionally, variations in measurement techniques and how individuals perceive their own weight or height can contribute to inconsistencies.

However, in Wave 2 and Wave 3 adult participants received a follow-up health assessment visit from a registered nurse. A range of bio-medical measures were collected from around 20,000 adults, which included blood pressure, weight, height, waist measurement, body fat, etc. In Wave 16 (going into the field in early 2024) we will be collecting further biological data from our participants. This will include blood and stool samples, blood pressure, weight, height and waist measurements. Further details on using this health data and genetics and epigenetics data are on the Understanding Society website (https://www.understandingsociety.ac.uk/topic-page/biomarkers-genetics-and-epigenetics/)

I hope this information is helpful.

Best wishes,
Roberto Cavazos
Understanding Society User Support Team

Hi Omer,

Here's the response from the person responsible for creating this variable:

"Indeed, mostly mothers and fathers are identified as the osm_hh_head, this is because it’s generated using the oldest person in the origin household (according to the variable age_dv). This is just used as a way to connect households over time, and doesn’t have any other significance."

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Piotr marzec,
UKHLS User Support