How to generate new variable that contains only males and BMI above 25

[Rajiv Rama]

Hey guys,

I am new to STATA and I want to generate a new variable that contains only males and a BMI of over 25.

I have variables gender as binary (0= males and 1=females)

BMI I also have as a seperate variable.

My best guess is to make to use the gen command in combination with if, but I am not sure.


Any help would be highly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

[Nick Cox]

You probably don't need a new variable at all as

if gender == 0 & BMI > 25

may be enough as a qualifier on whatever you want to do, or sometimes

if gender == 0 & BMI > 25 & BMI < .

but by the same token

gen BMI2 = BMI if gender == 0 & BMI > 25

is what you're asking for. See

help if

I recommend renaming gender as female following the principle that indicator variables are best named for the state coded 1.

Please see also https://www.statalist.org/forums/help#spelling

[Rajiv Rama]

Great it worked! Thanks Nick!


WHat do you mean with Ï probably don't need a new variable at al

[Nick Cox]

I mean what I say. So, for example, if you had a variable whatever then

summarize whatever if gender == 0 & BMI > 25

doesn't need a new variable. If you give more details on why you think you need a new variable, more could probably be said.

[Rajiv Rama]

Ah ok.

No I would like a total new variable because I would like to compare this group of males with a higher BMI with heart chamber dimensions. So creating a new variable would allow me to look into a relationship with the sizes of their right atrium.

I can do this with the "table1" code.