U.S. women eating more carbs, more fat; men more carbs, less fat

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Thursday, January 27, 2005 5:28 am Email this article
From 1971 to 2000, carbohydrate intake in the U.S. increased by an average of 68 grams per day in men and 62 grams per day in women. Fat intake increased in women by 6.5 grams per day, but decreased by 5.3 grams per day in men.

As a percent of total calories, carbohydrate intake increased, but fat intake decreased.

Meal eaten away from home tend to be higher in calories and higher in fat according to the report.

Meals eaten away from home contain 38% fat vs 32% for those eaten at home

Meals eaten at home contain an average of 31.5 percent fat, whereas meals eaten away from home contain an average of 37.6 percent fat.

16% of meals eaten away from home in 1977, 27% in 1995

In 1977-1978, Americans ate 16 percent of all meals and snacks away from home. In 1995, the percentage had increased to 27 percent.

Less visible fat, more hidden fat

“Food sources of fat have changed over the past several decades, with intake of visible fats declining and the intake of hidden fats rising, specifically in the categories of grain-based mixed dishes, fruits and vegetables, and bread and grains,” the report notes.

Younger adults get more fat from snacks, older adults from milk, margarine and desserts

“Younger adults (18 to 29 years of age) were most likely to obtain their fat from higher-fat savory snacks (5.2% of total fat), potato products (5.4% of total fat), mixed dishes (eg, pizza) (10.8% of total fat), and medium-fat hamburgers (7.4% of total fat), whereas older adults (>60 years of age) consumed much more fat from milk (2.9% of total fat), margarine (3.1% of total fat), and higher-fat desserts (10.3% of total fat).”

REFERENCE

Trends in intake of energy and macronutrients—united states, 1971-2000. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004 Feb 6, 53(4):80-82.

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Calorie Intake

• Carbohydrates

• Fat Intake (Dietary Fat)