Prevalence of functional limitations among adults 60 years of age and over: United States, 1999-2002.

In the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), participants were asked a series of questions designed to evaluate functional status. Some questions assessed performance on selected activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), while others assessed mobility, strength, endurance, and social participation. This report contains prevalence estimates and standard errors for adults, 60 years of age and over, who reported difficulty performing these activities without the aid of special equipment or who were not able to perform these activities. Results are reported by sex, age group, race and ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Assessment of functional status plays an important role in monitoring the health problems and needs of older Americans.