Carnegie Mellon University

Health Practices

Both self-report and objective measures were used across studies to evaluate participant health practices such as sleep habits, physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and diet.  While not all specific measures were included in each study, several behaviors were assessed consistently. 

The table below lists the various health practices that were assessed in one or more studies, and which specific measures were used to assess those variables in each. Detailed information on how each behavior was assessed can be obtained by clicking on the name of the measure.

Behavior Measure BCS PCS1 PCS2 PMBC PCS3
Alcohol Consumption
  daily Daily Interview    ✔    ✔
  typical
Study Questionnaire   ✔    ✔    ✔    ✔    ✔
Diet
  usual intake CLUE II Food Frequency/Diet Questionnaire (Brief Block FFQ)    ✔    ✔
  usual intake
Eating Habits Questionnaire  
  daily intake Daily Interview    ✔    ✔
  breakfast Breakfast Questionnaire    ✔    ✔
Physical Activity
  daily exercise Daily Interview    ✔    ✔
  typical activity Exercise Questionnaire   
  typical activity College Alumni Health Study Questionnaire (Paffenbarger Scale)       ✔    ✔
  typical activity Study Questionnaire  
  number of steps
Pedometer   
Sleep
  nocturnal activity
Actigraph Watch    ✔
  previous night Daily Interview    ✔    ✔    ✔
  typical Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI)    ✔    ✔    ✔    ✔
  typical Study Questionnaire  
Smoking
  current Cotinine, salivary    ✔
  current Cotinine, serum   ✔
  current Daily Interview    ✔    ✔
  current & history
Study Questionnaire   ✔    ✔    ✔    ✔    ✔