THE 3RD NATIONAL-HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY - CONTRIBUTING DATA ON AGING AND HEALTH

The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III , 1988-94) is the most recent in a series of national examination stud ies conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers fo r Disease Control and Prevention. Prior to NHANES III the upper age li mit was 74; the upper age limit was removed for NHANES III. Persons 60 years and older in the black and Mexican American populations, and th ose 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older in the white population were oversampled. The NHANES III component for older persons provides a mul tidimensional overview of physical health status and aspects of functi onal health status. The key components for older persons are: Osteopor osis, arthritis, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and physical, cognitive, and social function.