Nutrient Intake
Table 1 shows average daily intake of eight nutrients and/or food
components—calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol,
sodium, fiber, calcium, and iron—during the period 1977-96.
Consumption of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and fiber were
not reported for 1977. Over the two decades, Americans consumed
more calories, calcium, and iron but less total fat. Daily iron
consumption from food increased from 11.3 milligrams in 1977 to
15.4 milligrams in 1994-96.
| Table 1. Average daily nutrient
intakes of individuals ages 2 and older, 1977-78 and 1994-96 |
| Age and gender |
Calories (kcal) |
Total fat (grams) |
Saturated fat (grams) |
Cholesterol (mg) |
Sodium (mg) |
Fiber (grams) |
Calcium (mg) |
Iron (mg) |
| 1977-78 |
| All individuals ages 2 and older |
1,876 |
85.7 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
743.0 |
11.3 |
| Children ages 2-17 |
1,900 |
83.2 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
921.0 |
11.1 |
| Adults ages 18 and older |
1,866 |
86.8 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
669.0 |
11.4 |
| Male adults ages 60 and older |
1,973 |
92.2 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
708.0 |
13.0 |
| Female adults ages 60 and older |
1,437 |
63.9 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
555.0 |
9.6 |
| 1994-96 |
| All individuals ages 2 and older |
2,026 |
75.3 |
25.8 |
259.0 |
3325.0 |
15.3 |
798.0 |
15.4 |
| Children ages 2-17 |
1,964 |
72.0 |
26.2 |
225.0 |
3094.0 |
13.1 |
908.0 |
14.9 |
| Adults ages 18 and older |
2,047 |
76.4 |
25.6 |
271.0 |
3402.0 |
16.1 |
761.0 |
15.6 |
| Male adults ages 60 and older |
1,952 |
73.7 |
24.3 |
288.0 |
3339.0 |
18.1 |
770.0 |
16.9 |
| Female adults ages 60 and older |
1,433 |
52.0 |
16.8 |
202.0 |
2464.0 |
14.2 |
593.0 |
12.4 |
| |
| Note: Saturated fat (grams), cholesterol, sodium,
and fiber were not reported in NFCS 1977-78. |
| Sources: Compiled by ERS, USDA from NFCS77-78
and CSFII94-96, one-day data. |
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