Research Question for NHDUH Analysis

Reserach Topic

This analysis seeks to identify demographical and bodily differences between well-built people and those with high obesity. The analysis will investigate how the two groups of people differ in terms of income, mental health, and drug/alcohol use.

BMI, Body mass index, is a useful measurement to figure out a person’s body shape based on height and weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered as “overweight”, and 30 and higher is considered as “obese.” However, it is often said that the BMI is not the best way to determine healthiness of a person because the measurement does not consider a body fat at all. It is reasonable to think that some people who have heavy weight because of their muscle may have a BMI higher than 30.

Therefore, in the analysis, I will define a person whose BMI is greater than 30 as “Obese” if they describe their overall health as “Fair” or “Poor”, and as “Well built” if they believe their overall health is “Excellent” or “Very good.” Two variables, health and BMI2, will be utilized.

The analysis will focus on the following three questions.

Income by Body Shape (Category 1)

• How the two group of people differ in their income level(IRPINC3)?

Mental Health by Body Shape (Category 2)

• How the two group of people differ in their mental health?

A compound varibale which includes DSTNRV30, DSTHOP30, DSTRST30, DSTEFF30, DSTCHR30,and DSTNGD30 will be used.

Drug and alcohol Use by Body Shape (Category 3)

• How the two group of people differ in their use of drug and alcohol( MRJMON, CRKMON, COCMON, HERMON, HALLUCMON, INHALMON, METHAMMON, PNRNMMON, TRQNMMON, STMNMMON, and ALCBNG30D)?