Trends in energy intake among adults in the United States: findings from NHANES

doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.052662

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volume 97, Issue 4, April 2013, Pages 848-853

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ABSTRACT

Background:

Energy intake is a key determinant of weight.

Objective:

Our objective was to examine trends in energy intake in adults in the United States from 1971–1975 to 2009–2010.

Design:

The study was a trend analysis of 9 national surveys in the United States that included data from 63,761 adults aged 20–74 y.

Results:

Adjusted mean energy intake increased from 1955 kcal/d during 1971–1975 to 2269 kcal/d during 2003–2004 and then declined to 2195 kcal/d during 2009–2010 (P-linear trend < 0.001, P-nonlinear trend < 0.001). During the period from 1999–2000 to 2009–2010, no significant linear trend in energy intake was observed (P = 0.058), but a significant nonlinear trend was noted (P = 0.042), indicating a downward trend in energy intake. Significant decreases in energy intake from 1999–2000 to 2009–2010 were noted for participants aged 20–39 y, men, women, and participants with a BMI (in kg/m²) of 18.5 to <25 and ≥30.

Conclusion:

After decades of increases, mean energy intake has decreased significantly since 2003–2004.

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^¹: From the Divisions of Population Health (ESF) and Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (WHD), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

^²: The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the CDC.

^³: Address correspondence to ES Ford, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K67, Atlanta, GA 30341. E-mail: [email protected].