- How can I identify a NatCen interviewer?
-
All our interviewers carry an identity card with their
photograph. We ask interviewers to show their identity card at the
start of the interview, but if for any reason they don't do this,
please feel free to ask to see it.
- Tell me more about what participation in the survey involves
-
One of our interviewers will visit you at home. They will
explain what is involved in taking part in the survey. The survey
is conducted in two main stages, both of which involve a number of
different parts. All parts of the survey are optional and we will
always check with you first if you are happy to participate. In the
first stage of the survey you will be asked questions by one of our
trained interviewers. He or she will ask you some straightforward
questions about yourself, your lifestyle and your household. They
will also ask about your eating habits and general health. With
your consent we will take measurements of your height and weight.
The interviewer will ask if you are happy to keep a diary in which
you record what you eat and drink over four days. Finally, our
interviewer will arrange a time with you when they can collect the
diary and ask a few more questions. With your agreement we will
then arrange for one of our trained nurses to contact you in 2-4
months time. In this second stage of the survey our nurse will ask
you more questions about your health, for example, they may ask you
if you are taking any prescription medicine. They will also ask if
they can take some more measurements. What measurements they take
depends on your age or the age of a child taking part in the
survey: • Blood pressure (ages 4 and over) • Waist and hip
circumferences (ages 11 and over) • Demi-span (ages 65 and over) •
Mid-upper arm circumference (ages eighteen months to 15 years) •
Infant length (ages eighteen months to two years). Our nurse may
ask if you are willing to supply a urine and/or a small blood
sample. This is used to measure vitamin and minerals levels and
other markers of health status. Our nurse will answer any questions
you may have.
- Do all of my family have to take part?
-
The interviewer will select eligible members of the household to
be interviewed. This may be one person or two, depending on the
number of residents and their ages. Children are included because
we want our survey to be reflective of the UK's population, so it
is important that we interview people of all ages.
- Might there be implications for insurance cover?
-
Only if you have asked us to send your results to your GP. If
you are applying for a new life assurance policy or if you have got
a new job your insurance company may ask your GP for a medical
report. However, the insurance company needs to get your permission
first before approaching your GP. This is because of the Medical
Reports Act 1988. This act also means that once you have given your
permission you can request to see the report before your GP sends
it to the insurance company. If you think that the report is
incorrect or misleading you can ask for it to be amended.
- Do I get to find out the results of my interview?
-
You can choose not to know any of your results. However, if you
would like to find out your results we can help you with this. If
you like we can send you feedback on how your eating
habits compare with national recommendations. We can also give
you a record of your measurements and send your blood sample
results most directly related to your health. You may also decide
that it would be useful for your GP to see your results. With your
written agreement we can send your body mass index (BMI), blood
pressure and blood sample results most directly related to your
health to your GP. If your GP considers your results to be
satisfactory, then no further action will be taken. However, if
your results show that, for example, your blood pressure is higher
than it should be, your Surgery may get in touch to arrange a check
up.
- What questions will you ask about children?
-
Whether your child is old enough to be interviewed or you are
being interviewed on their behalf, we ask questions about eating
habits, general health and physical activity. Parents are asked for
basic information such as age, sex and employment.
- My child is aged between 18 months and 10 years. What's involved?
-
There are two stages to taking part in the survey. In the first
stage our interviewer will ask you to answer questions and complete
a food diary on behalf of your child, while the child is present in
the room. Children aged eight and above may be given a
questionnaire to fill in by themselves. If your child is aged four
or older our interviewer will ask if they can wear an ActiGraph,
which is a small monitor that records physical activity over seven
days. The interviewer will also ask you and your children's
permission to take height and weight measurements. With your
permission we will then arrange for one our trained nurses to pay
you a visit. Our nurse will take some more measurements. Which
measurements they take will depend on the age of your child: •
Blood pressure (ages 4 and over) • Mid-upper arm circumference
(ages 1.5-15) • Infant length (ages 1.5 to 2 years) • Urine sample
(ages 4 and over) • Blood sample (aged 1.5 and over). The nurse
will only take these measurements if you and your child agrees to
them.
- My child is aged between 11 and 15. What will taking part in the survey involve?
-
There are two stages to taking part in the survey. First, our
interviewer will ask your child some questions and may give them a
questionnaire to fill in. Our interviewer will ask if they are
happy to wear an ActiGraph, which is a small monitor that records
physical activity over 7 days. The interviewer will ask their
permission to take height and weight measurements. With you and
your child's permission we will then arrange for a nurse to pay you
a visit. The nurse will take some more measurements. Which
measurements they take will depend on the age of your child: •
Blood pressure (ages 4 and over) • Waist and hip circumferences
(ages 11 and over) • Mid-upper arm circumference (ages 1.5-15) •
Urine sample (ages 4 and over) • Blood sample (aged 1.5 and over).
The nurse will only take these measurements if you and your child
agrees to them.
