Bio-social surveys

NatCen's specialist expertise in biosocial measurements has been developed in a wide range of surveys, either focusing specifically on health or adding a biosocial dimension to other topics.

About our bio-social studies

We know that if we ask people their height and weight (from which BMI - body mass index - is calculated), we don't get accurate answers. So these are two of the most common biosocial measures we include in our surveys. Our interviewers are trained and accredited to carry out these measures on both adults and children.

The range of biosocial measures carried out at NatCen ranges from those that can be carried out by interviewers without medical training to those that require qualified nurses:

  • Waist and hip measurements
  • Infant length, infant head circumference
  • Grip strength
  • Balance and walking speed
  • Blood pressure
  • Blood samples - for a wide range of analyses from cholesterol to vitamin D
  • Urine samples - to measure salt intake, kidney function etc
  • Saliva samples - to measure cotinine (a derivative of nicotine, to look at passive smoking), cortisol, DNA etc
  • Lung function
  • Accelerometry - measuring duration and intensity of physical activity
  • Step test - for cardiovascular fitness
  • Cognitive function tests

How we can help you

We are experienced in the development of protocols, sourcing and testing appropriate equipment, training and accreditation of interviewers and nurses, monitoring and quality control, and liaison with labs as necessary.

We have a panel of freelance interviewers and survey nurses. And we've been exploring how interviewers can undertake measures traditionally restricted to nurses, such as blood spot samples. As 'IBio' - Interviewer biosocial measurement - develops, this offers a cost-effective way of enhancing the scope of a survey, and providing objective measures of health to complement those established through interviewer questioning.

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