American Time Use Survey
Eating as a secondary activity
Because many Americans eat while engaged in other activities, such as driving or watching television, information is needed on eating as both a primary and secondary activity. This question records when and during which activities the respondent was eating or drinking beverages.
Question |
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We're interested in finding out more about how people fit meals and snacks into their schedules. Yesterday, you reported eating or drinking between [fill times from respondent's time diary]. Were there any other times you were eating yesterday—for example while you were doing something else? About how long would you say you were eating while you were [fill activity]? Not including plain water, were there any other times yesterday when you were drinking any beverages? About how long would you say you were drinking while you were [fill activity]? |
Grocery shopping and meal preparation
Question |
| I'd like to ask a couple of questions about food preparation. Are you the person who usually does the grocery shopping in your household? Are you the person who usually prepares the meals in your household? |
Food Stamp Program participation
This information will allow analysis of the time use patterns of food stamp recipients versus others, and in particular, low-income persons who are not participating in the program.
Question |
In the past 30 days, did you or anyone in your household get food stamp benefits? |
Breakfast and lunch obtained at school
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Please think back over the past week starting last Monday up to today, Monday. In the past week, did [Fill names of children in the household under age 18] eat a BREAKFAST that was prepared and served at a school, a paid day care or Head Start Center, or a summer day program? This question refers to ONLY BREAKFASTS prepared at the school or center—not meals brought from home.
What about LUNCH? In the past week, did [Fill names of children in the household under age 18] eat a LUNCH that was prepared and served at a school, a paid day care or Head Start Center, or a summer day program? This question refers to ONLY LUNCHES prepared at the school or center—not meals brought from home. |
Height, weight, and general healthFrom this self-reported information, Body Mass Index (BMI) can be calculated, and time use patterns, such as activity levels and eating patterns can be analyzed by BMI levels.
Question |
I'm going to switch topics and ask you a few final questions about your physical health that might affect how you use your time. In general, would you say that your health is Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor? How tall are you without shoes? How much do you weigh without shoes? |
Household incomeThis question asks if total household income before taxes was above or below a certain amount. The ATUS Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing software automatically calculates whether the income level is more or less than 185 and 130 percent of the poverty threshold based on the respondent's household composition. These income thresholds—185 percent and 130 percent—determine income eligibility for food assistance programs.
Question |
Last month, was your total household income before taxes more or less than [fill 185 percent of poverty threshold] per month?
If answer was LESS:
Was it more or less than [fill 130 percent of poverty threshold] per month? |
A pdf version of the Eating and Health Module questionnaire is available from BLS.
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