RESUMO
The general aim of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was to assess the health and nutritional status in the Korean population. The KNHANES began in 1998 and has been conducting as a series of surveys : 1998(1st), 2001(2nd), 2005(3rd) and 2007-2009(4th). Specific aims were, in a cross-sectional study of nationally representative samples of the noninstitutionalized civilian Korean population aged > or = 1 year (4,600 households each year), to monitor trends the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of selected chronic diseases, monitor trends in nutritional status and risk behaviors, and analyze risk factors for chronic diseases. For these purposes, with standardized high-quality methods, extensive data on health and nutrition are collected by health interview, health examination (physical examination, clinical measurements and tests) and dietary interview. In 2007, the 4th KNHANES became a continuous annual survey by highly trained field staff. In addition, the 4th KNHANES expanded examination components (addition of oral examination, pulmonary function test and laboratory test items such as ferritin, vitamin D, insulin, manganese, and arsenic), simplified survey procedure, and strengthened quality control. Further works will be focused on the selection of new examination and interview components, planning of KNHANES follow-up survey, continuous training of field staff and quality control, and improvement of dietary survey method.