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DITMACYR
Used macrobiotic diet, past 12 months
Group: Special Diet - General — PERSON

Description

For sample adults in 2002 and 2007 who had ever used a macrobiotic diet for two weeks or more for health reasons (DITMACEV) and for sample children in 2007, DITMACYR reports whether the person had used a macrobiotic diet for two weeks or more for health reasons in the past 12 months.

Special diets--including macrobiotic, Atkins, Ornish, Pritikin, South Beach, vegetarian, and Zone diets--were one of many alternative health treatment modalities included in the 2002 and 2007 Alternative Health Supplements. For the full list of alternative health treatments covered in the NHIS, and for general background information about the Alternative Health Supplements, see ACUYR.

In 2002 and 2007, if sample adults gave a positive response to DITMACYR (or to the comparable variables DITATKINYR, DITORNYR, DITPRITYR, DITSBYR [2007 only], DITVEGYR, DITZONYR, which cover use of other special diets in the past 12 months), they were asked a series of follow-up questions (see DITATKINYR).

In addition, both sample children (2007 only) and sample adults (both 2002 and 2007) who had used any of the seven specified special diets in the past 12 months were asked whether the diets were used to treat a specific medical condition and, if so, what that condition was (see DITTREAT).

Definitions 

The 2002 Field Representative's Manual provides the following definition:

A macrobiotic diet is low in fat, emphasizes whole grains and vegetables, and restricts the intake of fluids. Of particular importance is the consumption of fresh, non-processed foods. Daily intakes break out as follows: 50 to 60 percent whole grains; 25 to 30 percent fresh vegetables; 5 to 10 percent beans, soy-based products, and sea vegetables; and 5 to 10 percent soups. Meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, alcohol, coffee, caffeinated tea, sweets and sugar, and strong spices are to be avoided.

This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.

The 2007 Field Representative's Manual provides a truncated version of that definition:

A macrobiotic diet is low in fat, emphasizes whole grains and vegetables, and restricts the intake of fluids. Of particular importance is the consumption of fresh, non-processed foods.

In 2007 field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [this definition] even if the respondent has not requested [it]."

Comparability

DITMACYR is fully comparable across time.

 

In the 2002 sample adult questionnaire, the question read, "During the past 12 months, did you use any of these for two weeks for health reasons? ... Macrobiotic."

The 2007 sample adult questionnaire asked, "During the past 12 months, did you use a macrobiotic diet for two weeks or more for health reasons?"

The 2007 sample child questionnaire asked, "During the past 12 months, did [fill: sample child's name] use any of the following special diets for two weeks or more for health reasons? Please say yes or no to each. ... Macrobiotic?"

Universe

  • 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who have used a macrobiotic diet for two weeks for more for health reasons.
  • 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever used a macrobiotic diet and sample children under 18.

Codes and Frequencies



Availability

  • 2002, 2007
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Weights

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