Nutrient Intake
Table 5 shows the number of meals and snack eaten by individuals
as well as the proportion of meals and snacks eaten away from home
during 1977-96. Over time, Americans had snacked more frequently
and had consumed more meals and snacks away from home. Therefore,
eating out is playing an increasingly important role in determining
the nutritional quality of American diets.
| Table 5. Daily meal and snack eating patterns
of individuals ages 2 and older, 1977-78 and 1994-96 |
| |
Meals |
Snacks |
| Age and gender |
Meals |
Snacks |
At home |
Away from home |
At home |
Away from home |
| |
Number |
Percent |
| 1977-78 |
| All individuals ages 2 and older |
2.7 |
1.1 |
84 |
16 |
83 |
17 |
| Children ages 2-17 |
2.8 |
1.1 |
83 |
17 |
87 |
13 |
| Adults ages 18 and older |
2.6 |
1.1 |
85 |
15 |
82 |
18 |
| Male adults 60 and older |
2.8 |
0.9 |
91 |
9 |
93 |
7 |
| Female adults 60 and older |
2.8 |
0.7 |
92 |
8 |
92 |
8 |
| 1994-96 |
| All individuals ages 2 and older |
2.7 |
1.5 |
72 |
28 |
80 |
20 |
| Children ages 2-17 |
2.8 |
1.8 |
70 |
30 |
80 |
20 |
| Adults ages 18 and older |
2.6 |
1.5 |
72 |
28 |
80 |
20 |
| Male adults 60 and older |
2.7 |
1.3 |
82 |
18 |
88 |
12 |
| Female adults 60 and older |
2.7 |
1.3 |
85 |
15 |
89 |
11 |
| |
| Sources: Compiled by ERS, USDA from NFCS77-78
and CSFII94-95, one-day data. |
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