analysis on highly skewed data

[SRaehsler]

Hello, as a recent graduate I need some help using SAS. I have 3 groups which I would like to compare to see if they differ among 4 variables. Group 1 (n=42) has skewness values of around 3. Group 2 (n=101) has a skewness of around 5. The last group (n=10,106) has skewness values between 8 and 10. Like I said, I would like to determine if there are any statistically significant differences between the 3 independent groups for each of the 4 different continuous variables. I am working with NHANES data, since it is a cross-sectional study I BELIEVE that means I must use nonparametric tests? What are your suggestions as to how I should complete this analysis using SAS. Someone has suggested I compare the geometric means, but I do not know enough about geometric means to know if this is the best method.

[ballardw]

Statistically significant differences of what: distribution, mean, variance or something(s) else?

[SRaehsler]

ideally the geometric mean, if that makes sense.

Thank you for your reply!