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.