Moderate and vigorous exercise - data values 8 to 28

HEALTH SURVEYS
1

I am examining the MOD10FWK variable and am attempting to understand the values I see. MOD10FWK is a 2 digit number that should correspond with number of times per week an individual reported 10+ minutes of moderate exercise. I do not understand the values 8 through 28, however.

I have examined the original NHIS codebook and the source question for this variable was paired with a units variable that allowed respondents to specify times per day, week, month or year. I am assuming the values 1-7 are number of times per week and those 8-28 are times per month. Is it possible to get confirmation of this?

Also, are any of the values for the units times per day or per year?

2

The variable MOD10FWK is a recoded variable created by the National Center for Health Statistics that transforms the two variables you see in the original NHIS codebook into a consistent time unit of “times per week.” Respondents were able to report multiple instances of light or moderate physical activity for a single day, so the values 8-28 represent the same thing as values 1-7 (times per week).

If you are interested in seeing the original responses to the NHIS questions without the recode, you can pair the variable MOD10FNO (frequency of moderate activity 10+ minutes) with MOD10FTP (time period of frequency of moderate activity 10+ minutes).

I hope this helps!