The third 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 studies conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prior to NHANES III the upper age limit was 74; the upper age limit was removed for NHANES III. Persons 60 years and older in the black and Mexican American populations, and those 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and older in the white population were oversampled. The NHANES III component for older persons provides a multidimensional overview of physical health status and aspects of functional health status. The key components for older persons are: Osteoporosis, arthritis, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and physical, cognitive, and social function.