Energy and Macronutrient Intakes of Persons Ages 2 Months and Over in the United States: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Phase 1, 1988-91

Advance Data 255.  This report provides data for the U.S. population's intake of macronutrients based on dietary data collected in Phase 1 of NHANES III (1988-91). National reference estimates of total energy intake, macronutrients contributing to total energy intake (i.e., protein, carbohydrate, total fat, and alcohol), fatty acids (saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat), and cholesterol are reported for persons 2 months of age and older.

Data Highlights:

The mean daily intake of energy was 2,095 kcal for persons 2 months and older. Males had consistently higher intakes of energy and macronutrients than females in all age and race/ethnicity groups. Population mean energy intake was highest in non-Hispanic whites, intermediate in Mexican Americans, and lowest in non-Hispanic blacks, for males and females.

The overall dietary pattern for the U.S. population ages 2 months and older was 50 percent of energy from carbohydrate, 15 percent of energy from protein, 34 percent of energy from fat, and 2 percent of energy from alcohol. Fatty acid contributions to energy were: 12 percent saturated fat, 12.5 percent monounsaturated fat, and 7 percent polyunsaturated fat, and the mean cholesterol intake was 270 mg.

Protein intakes in females were generally lower than males of the same age and showed a similar pattern with age. Protein accounted for about 11-12 percent of total energy intake for infants and about 14-16 percent of total energy intake for persons aged 1 year and older.

Mean energy intakes in NHANES III are similar to those reported in NHANES II for children under 12 years of age. However, mean energy intakes are approximately 100-300 kcal higher in NHANES III (1988-91) compared with NHANES II (1976-80) for adolescents and adults.

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007