How are NHANES weights constructed?
In general a sample person is assigned a base weight that is equivalent to the reciprocal of his/her probability of selection. However, calculating the base weight in NHANES is much more complicated due to the survey’s complex, multistage design. In summary, NHANES weights are constructed: based on the final probability selection through 4 sampling stages; adjusted for nonresponse to the in-home interview when creating interview weights, and further adjusted for non-response to the MEC exam when creating exam weights; and post-stratified to match the population control totals for each sampling subdomain.
