APA Dictionary of Psychology

an ongoing program that uses interviews and physical examinations to assess the health and nutritional status of approximately 5,000 children and adults per year from communities throughout the United States. The specific nutrition and health topics and populations studied change over time. Begun in the 1960s, the program is run by the National Center for Health Statistics, and the collected data are used to track disease prevalence and patterns; identify risk factors for disease; and develop national nutrition and health standards, public policy, and various health-related programs and services.