Nutrition

The content on this page was last updated in June 2023. More recent estimates and visualizations may be available from the NCHS Data Query System.

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The energy consumed in food is supplied by three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Under- or overconsumption of individual macronutrients may increase a person’s risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer (1).

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Carbohydrate intake among adults aged 20 and over

Trend: 1999–2002 to 2015–2018

This is a line graph showing the average macronutrient intake among adults aged 20 and over for the period 1999 to 2002 through the period 2015 to 2018.

Among adults aged 20 and over, age-adjusted average carbohydrate intake decreased from 1999–2002 to 2015–2018. See Featured Charts for additional analysis.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. See Sources and Definitions, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table McrNutr.

Protein intake among adults aged 20 and over

Trend: 1999–2002 to 2015–2018

Among adults aged 20 and over, age-adjusted average protein intake increased from 1999–2002 to 2015–2018. See Featured Charts for additional analysis.

Fat intake among adults aged 20 and over

Trend: 1999–2002 to 2015–2018

Among adults aged 20 and over, age-adjusted average total fat intake increased from 1999–2002 to 2015–2018. See Featured Charts for additional analysis.

Estimates are based on the civilian noninstitutionalized population. See Sources and Definitions, Population.
Age-adjusted estimates are presented to eliminate differences that result from changes in the distribution of age in the population over time. Some estimates are shown by a specific age group because of the strong effect of age on most health outcomes. See Sources and Definitions, Age adjustment.
For information on the methods used to assess trends, see Sources and Definitions, Statistical testing.
Starting in 2001, 24-hour dietary recall data are collected in a mobile examination center (day 1 file) and by telephone interview on a second day (day 2 file). For comparability across survey years, this figure is based on day 1 data only. This figure excludes both people who reported no energy intake and people who did not meet the minimum criteria for reliable dietary recall.

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From 1999–2002 to 2015–2018, energy intake from carbohydrates decreased while energy intake from total fat and protein increased.

Figure 1 is an area graph showing the average macronutrient intake among adults aged 20 and over for the period 1999 to 2002 through the period 2015 to 2018.

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0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 0.05
NOTE: APC is annual percent change.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. See Sources and Definitions, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table McrNutr.

From 1999–2002 to 2015–2018, age-adjusted average energy intake from carbohydrates decreased from 50.7% of total energy intake (kcal) to 46.7% kcal among adults aged 20 and over.
During the same period, age-adjusted average energy intake from total fat increased from 33.0% kcal to 35.8% kcal among adults aged 20 and over.
From 1999–2002 to 2015–2018, age-adjusted average energy intake from protein increased from 15.3% kcal to 15.8% kcal among adults aged 20 and over.

Estimates are based on the civilian noninstitutionalized population. See Sources and Definitions, Population.
Age-adjusted estimates are presented to eliminate differences that result from changes in the distribution of age in the population over time. Some estimates are shown by a specific age group because of the strong effect of age on most health outcomes. See Sources and Definitions, Age adjustment.
For information on the methods used to assess trends, see Sources and Definitions, Statistical testing.
Starting in 2001, 24-hour dietary recall data are collected in a mobile examination center (day 1 file) and by telephone interview on a second day (day 2 file). For comparability across survey years, this figure is based on day 1 data only. This figure excludes both people who reported no energy intake and people who did not meet the minimum criteria for reliable dietary recall.

From 1999–2002 to 2015–2018, carbohydrate intake decreased among both men and women.

Figure 2 is a line graph showing the average macronutrient intake among adults aged 20 and over by sex for the period 1999 to 2002 through the period 2015 to 2018.

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NOTE: APC is annual percent change.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. See Sources and Definitions, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table McrNutr.

From 1999–2002 to 2015–2018, age-adjusted average carbohydrate intake was higher among women than men.
Among men, age-adjusted average carbohydrate intake decreased from 49.5% kcal in 1999–2002 to 45.9% kcal in 2015–2018.
Among women, age-adjusted average carbohydrate intake decreased from 51.9% kcal in 1999–2002 to 47.4% kcal in 2015–2018.

Estimates are based on the civilian noninstitutionalized population. See Sources and Definitions, Population.
Age-adjusted estimates are presented to eliminate differences that result from changes in the distribution of age in the population over time. Some estimates are shown by a specific age group because of the strong effect of age on most health outcomes. See Sources and Definitions, Age adjustment.
For information on the methods used to assess trends, see Sources and Definitions, Statistical testing.
Starting in 2001, 24-hour dietary recall data are collected in a mobile examination center (day 1 file) and by telephone interview on a second day (day 2 file). For comparability across survey years, this figure is based on day 1 data only. This figure excludes both people who reported no energy intake and people who did not meet the minimum criteria for reliable dietary recall.

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Mean macronutrient intake among adults aged 20 and over, by sex and age: United States, selected years 1988–1994 through 2015–2018

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

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Definitions

Energy intake: Kilocalories from all food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, consumed during the previous 24-hour period.
Kilocalorie (calorie or kcal): Measure of energy in food.
Macronutrients: The primary sources of energy from food. Includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Total fat: Includes all forms of fat—saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated.

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Reference

Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes: The essential guide to nutrient requirements. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 2006.

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