Food Patterns Equivalents Intakes by Americans: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014

Abstract

This report highlights the changes in the dietary intakes of selected USDA Food Patterns groups, including added sugars and solid fats, for the U.S. population from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 to 2013-14. The nationally representative sample included 8,272 and 8,066 individuals, ages 2 years and over (excluding breast-fed children) with complete and reliable intake records, in the 2003-2004 and 2013-2014 surveys, respectively. Sample weights were applied in the analysis to get nationally representative estimates. The estimated mean daily intake of added sugars by all individuals, ages 2 years and over, substantially decreased by 3.6 teaspoon equivalents (tsp. eq.) or 15 grams. Similarly, substantial reductions were noted among each of the age groups studied: children ages 2-5, 6-11, and 12-19; and adults, ages 20+ years. Although Americans have reduced their added sugars intake, their mean intake is still high when compared to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 recommendations. The estimated mean intake of solid fats, for all individuals 2 years and over, substantially decreased by 12.3 grams, from 47.6 to 35.3 grams. Similarly, substantial reductions were noted in each of the age groups studied. Changes were noted in the intake of oils. For all individuals, ages 2 years and over, the estimated mean intakes of oils significantly increased by 6.2 grams, from 19.2 to 25.4 grams. Although the whole grains consumption increased from 0.6 to 0.9 ounce equivalents, it was small and was well below the Dietary Guidelines recommendations to eat 50 percent of total grains as whole grains. No changes were noted in the fruit; vegetables; dairy; and total meat, poultry, and seafood intakes from 2003-2004 to 2013-2014. Mean intakes of vegetables, fruit, and dairy foods continued to be low when compared to the Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

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Highlights
Food Surveys Research Group
Dietary Data Brief No.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
Food Surveys Research Group
www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg
17
•Americans reduced their added
sugars intake in a 10-year
period. The estimated mean
intakes of added sugars
substantially decreased by 3.6
tsp. eq. (15 grams) from 21 tsp.
eq. in 2003-2004 to 17.4 tsp.
eq. in 2013-2014.
•Other notable changes in mean
intakes between 2003-2004
and 2013-2014 were:
−a12.3 gram reduction in
solid fats intake
−avery small, but
significant increase in
whole grains intake from
0.6 to 0.9 oz. eq.
•No changes were noted in the
fruit; vegetables; dairy; and
total meat, poultry, and
seafood intakes between
2003-2004 and 2013-2014.
May 2017
Food Patterns Equivalents Intakes by
Americans: What We Eat in America,
NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage Americans to
increase their fruit, vegetables, and whole grains intakes and limit added sugars
and solid fats intakes [1]. This report highlights the changes in the U.S.
population’s intake of selected USDA Food Patterns groups, including added
sugars and solid fats, using What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and
2013-2014 dietary data [2-4]; and is a follow up to the previously released data
brief comparing dietary intakes from 2003-2004 and 2011-2012 surveys [5].
The added sugars intake decreased from 2003-2004. For all individuals ages 2
years and over, the estimated mean intake of added sugars substantially decreased
by 3.6 teaspoon equivalents (tsp. eq.) or 15 grams from 2003-2004. Substantial
reductions from 2003-2004 were noted among each of the age groups studied:
children ages 2-5, 6-11, and 12-19; and adults ages 20+ years (Figure 1).
Although Americans continue to reduce their added sugars intake, the mean
amounts consumed remain high.
Did the added sugars intake decrease from 2003-2004 to
2013-2014?
Figure 1. Estimated mean intakes of added sugars per day by age, 2003-2004 and
2013-2014
Shanthy A Bowman, PhD; John C Clemens, MS; James E Friday, BS;
Krystal L Lynch, PhD; Randy P LaComb, MS; and Alanna J Moshfegh, MS, RD
+One teaspoon equivalent =4.2 grams of sugar
*Significantly different from 2003-04 (p<0.01)
DATA SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, day 1, individuals 2+ years
21.0
15.4
23.3
26.5
20.2
17.4
11.1
17.0 19.5 17.6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
All 2-5 6-11 12-19 20+
2013-2014
2003-2004
Teaspoon Equivalents +
Age (years)
*
***
*

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No. 17 –May 2017
Both solid fats and oils are food sources of total fat. The Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing oils
over solid fats [1]. Solid fats are high in saturated fats and are present abundantly in the diets of
Americans and may contribute to excess caloric intakes [1].
Solid Fats: Overall, for all individuals ages 2 years and over, the estimated mean intake of solid fats
substantially decreased by 12.3 grams, from 47.6 to 35.3 grams (data not shown in Figure 2).
Similarly, substantial reductions were noted in each of the age groups studied: children ages 2-5, 6-11,
and 12-19; and adults ages 20+ years (Figure 2).
Oils: The estimated mean intakes of oils for all individuals, ages 2 years and over, significantly
increased by 6.2 grams, from 19.2 to 25.4 grams (data not shown in Figure 2). Further analysis
showed significant increases for children 2-5 years and adults ages 20+ years, only (Figure 2).
Did the solid fats and oils intakes change from 2003-2004 to 2013-2014?
Figure 2. Estimated mean intakes of solid fats and oils per day by age, 2003-2004 and 2013-
2014
-2-
41
49 51 47
26
37 35 36
11
17
21 20
15
19
24 27
0
10
20
30
40
50
2-5 6-11 12-19 20+
Grams
Age (years)
2013-2014
2003-2004
Solid Fats
2013-2014
2003-2004
Oils
*
*
***
*
*Significantly different from 2003-04 (p<0.01)
Means rounded to integers.
DATA SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, day 1, individuals 2+ years

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No. 17 –May 2017
The calories obtained from added sugars and solid fats come with low nutritional benefits. The
Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to consume nutrient-dense foods and beverages, with little or
no solid fats and added sugars [1].
Americans obtained fewer calories from added sugars and solid fats in 2013-2014 than in 2003-2004.
The calories obtained from both added sugars and solid fats, and estimated as percent of total calories
for the day, decreased by 6 percent for all individuals ages 2 years and over (Figure 3). In children
ages 2-5, 6-11, and 12-19, the reduction was 8 percent for each age group; in adults, it was 6 percent.
The added sugars calories decreased by 2 to 4 percent and the solid fat calories decreased by 4 to 5
percent, across all age groups.
Did the calories obtained from added sugars and solid fats change?
Figure 3. Estimated mean intakes of calories from added sugars and solid fats per day as percent of
total calories by age, 2003-2004 and 2013-2014
-3-
*Significantly different from 2003-04 (p<0.01)
+ Percentages rounded to integers.
DATA SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, day 1, individuals 2+ years
16 15 18 20 15
19 21 21 19
19
14 12 15 16 13
15 16 16 15 15
0
10
20
30
40
*
29
Percent +
Age (years)
All 2-5 6-11 12-19 20+
35 36
*
28
39
*
31
39
*
31 34
*
28
2003-2004
Added Sugars
Solid Fats Added Sugars
Solid Fats
2013-2014
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No.
Age Group
(years) Grains Group WWEIA, NHANES
2003-2004 2013-2014
2-5 Total Grains (oz. eq.) 5.3 5.3
Whole Grains (oz. eq.) 0.4 0.9*
Refined Grains (oz. eq.) 4.8 4.4
6-11 Total Grains (oz. eq.) 7.2 7.1
Whole Grains (oz. eq.) 0.6 0.8*
Refined Grains (oz. eq.) 6.6 6.2
12-19 Total Grains (oz. eq.) 7.8 7.1
Whole Grains (oz. eq.) 0.4 0.8*
Refined Grains (oz. eq.) 7.4 6.3*
20+ Total Grains (oz. eq.) 6.9 6.6
Whole Grains (oz. eq.) 0.6 0.9*
Refined Grains (oz. eq.) 6.2 5.7*
All Total Grains (oz. eq.) 6.9 6.6
Whole Grains (oz. eq.) 0.6 0.9*
Refined Grains (oz. eq.) 6.3 5.7*
17 –May 2017
There were no differences in the total grains intakes from 2003-2004 to 2013-2014, for all age groups
analyzed. The estimated mean intakes of whole grains increased for all age groups. However, these
increases were very small, especially considering the Dietary Guidelines recommendations that half
the total grains consumed be whole grains [1].
Did the grains intakes change from 2003-2004 to 2013-2014?
Table 1. Estimated mean intakes of total, whole, and refined grains per day by age, 2003-2004 and
2013-2014
-4-
* Significantly different from 2003-2004 (p<0.01)
DATA SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, day 1, individuals 2+ years

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No.
Age Group
(years) Food Patterns Group WWEIA, NHANES
2003-2004 2013-2014
2-5 Total Vegetables (cup eq.) 0.8 0.6*
Total Fruit (cup eq.) 1.5 1.3
Total Dairy (cup eq.) 2.4 2.0
Total Meat, Poultry, & Seafood (oz. eq.) 2.5 2.1
6-11 Total Vegetables (cup eq.) 1.0 0.9
Total Fruit (cup eq.) 1.0 1.1
Total Dairy (cup eq.) 2.4 2.2
Total Meat, Poultry, & Seafood (oz. eq.) 3.2 3.0
12-19 Total Vegetables (cup eq.) 1.3 1.1
Total Fruit (cup eq.) 1.0 0.8
Total Dairy (cup eq.) 2.2 2.0
Total Meat, Poultry, & Seafood (oz. eq.) 4.3 4.4
20+ Total Vegetables (cup eq.) 1.6 1.5*
Total Fruit (cup eq.) 1.0 0.9
Total Dairy (cup eq.) 1.6 1.6
Total Meat, Poultry, & Seafood (oz. eq.) 4.8 4.9
All Total Vegetables (cup eq.) 1.5 1.4*
Total Fruit (cup eq.) 1.0 0.9
Total Dairy (cup eq.) 1.8 1.7
Total Meat, Poultry, & Seafood (oz. eq.) 4.5 4.5
17 –May 2017
Small but significant reductions in total vegetables intakes were noted among children 2-5 and adults
20+ years. However, when estimated per 1000 calories, these differences disappeared, because mean
energy intake decreased for all age groups in 2013-2014 (data not shown). No differences were noted
in mean intakes of total fruit; total dairy; and total meat, poultry, and seafood intakes, for all age
groups studied.
Did the vegetables; fruit; dairy; and meat, poultry, and seafood intakes change
from 2003-04 to 2013-2014?
Table 2. Estimated mean intakes of total vegetables; total fruit; total dairy; and total meat, poultry, and
seafood per day by age, 2003-2004 and 2013-2014
-5-
* Significantly different from 2003-2004 (p<0.01)
DATA SOURCE: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2011-2012, day 1, individuals 2+ years

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No. 17 –May 2017
From 2003-2004 to 2013-2014:
•Americans reduced their added sugars intake. The main reason for this decrease was due to the
decrease in soda consumption [6]. Other reasons for the decrease include the increased availability
of beverages and snacks that are relatively low in caloric sweeteners or contain sugar substitutes,
thereby enabling Americans to choose food and beverages that are low in added sugars or sugar-free.
•Americans reduced their solid fats intake and increased their oils intake. These changes could be
partly be due to the replacement of hydrogenated oils with unhydrogenated vegetable oils in snacks,
fried products and in margarine; availability of low fat dairy products; and the increased availability
of lean meat options.
•Although Americans increased their whole grains consumption, it is still far below the Dietary
Guidelines recommendation.
•Mean intakes of vegetables, fruit, and dairy foods continued to be low when compared to the Dietary
Guidelines recommendations.
What are the implications of the study?
-6-

FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No. 17 –May 2017
USDA Food Patterns include the five food groups, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods; and
oils, solid fats, and added sugars.
Added sugars are defined as syrups and other caloric sweeteners such as sugars that are added to foods as
ingredients during food preparation, processing, or at the table. Added sugars do not include naturally
occurring sugars such as lactose present in milk and fructose present in fruit and 100% fruit juice.
Oils include all unhydrogenated vegetable oils, except tropical oils such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, and
coconut oil; and fats that are naturally present in nuts, seeds, avocado, olives, and seafood.
Solid fats include fats that are naturally present in dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter, cream, cream
cheese, and sour cream; fats naturally present in meat, poultry, and eggs; lard; fully or partially hydrogenated
fats and shortenings; cocoa butter; coconut oil; palm oil; and other tropical oils.
Units of measurements:Details on the units of measurements such as ounce, cup, and gram equivalents for
specific foods, see reference #2.
Nutrient dense: Indicates the nutrients and other beneficial substances in a food have not been “diluted” by the
addition of calories from added sugars, solid fats, or refined starches to food, or by the solid fats naturally
present in the food [1].
Definitions Used in the Food Patterns Equivalents Databases
(1) What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-2004 and 2013-2014, day 1 dietary data were used to estimate
Food Patterns equivalents intakes. Study sample included 8272 and 8066 individuals, aged 2 years and over
(excluding breast-fed children) with complete and reliable intake records, in the 2003-2004 and 2013-2014
surveys, respectively. Sample weights were applied in the analyses to produce nationally representative
estimates, (2) Food Patterns Equivalents Database 2013-14, and (3) MyPyramid equivalents Database 2.0 for
USDA Survey Foods 2003-2004.
Data sources
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015-2020 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Available at:
http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/. Accessed May 18, 2017.
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research
Center, Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville, Maryland, Food Patterns Equivalents Databases and
Datasets. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg. Accessed May 18, 2017.
3. Bowman SA, Clemens JC, Friday JE, Lynch KL, and Moshfegh AJ. 2017. Food Patterns Equivalents
Database 2013-14: Methodology and User Guide [Online]. Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville
Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Beltsville, Maryland. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg Accessed May 18, 2017.
4. Bowman SA, Friday JE, Moshfegh A. 2008. MyPyramid Equivalents Database, 2.0 for USDA Survey
Foods, 2003-2004 [Online] Food Surveys Research Group. Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center,
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD. Available at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.Accessed May 18, 2017.
5. Bowman SA, Friday JE, Clemens JC, LaComb RP, and Moshfegh AJ. A Comparison of Food Patterns
Equivalents Intakes by Americans: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-04 and 2011-12. Food
Surveys Research Group. Dietary Data Brief No. 16. September, 2016. Available at:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg. Accessed May 18, 2017.
6. Welsh JA, Sharma AJ, Grellinger L, Vos MB. Consumption of added sugars is decreasing in the United
States. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94:726-34
References
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FSRG Dietary Data Brief -- No.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
Food Surveys Research Group
All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without
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Copyright information
17 –May 2017
Bowman SA, Clemens JC, Friday JE, Lynch KL, LaComb RP, and Moshfegh AJ. Food Patterns
Equivalents Intakes by Americans: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003-04 and 2013-14. Food
Surveys Research Group. Dietary Data Brief No. 17. May 2017.
Suggested citation
Shanthy A. Bowman, John C. Clemens, James E. Friday, Krystal L. Lynch, Randy P. LaComb, and
Alanna J. Moshfegh are with Food Surveys Research Group, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center,
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD.
About the authors