Levels and sources of fat in the diets of Americans

Nationally representative two‐day dietary recall data on 4,118 adults 20 years of age and older from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2003–2004 were used to determine levels and sources of fat in adult diets. The average daily fat intake for adults in 2003–2004 was 83 grams. While males consumed more fat than females, 96 grams compared to 71 grams, the amount of fat in the diets paralleled the amount of food eaten as measured in calories. Mean daily energy intake was 2,541 kcals (SE=25.2) for males (n=1,951) and 1,834 kcals (SE=14.9) for females (n=2,167). The contribution of total fat to energy averaged 34% with 53% of adults falling within the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) of 20–35% and 44% exceeding the AMDR. Saturated fat intake averaged 32 grams for males and 23 grams for females, contributing 11% to energy. Food categories that were the top contributors to total fat in the diet included grain mixtures such as pizza, burritos, and tacos (14% of total); frozen milk desserts, cookies, cakes, candies, pies, pastries, doughnuts, granola bars, etc. (11% of total); regular salad dressings and table spreads (6% of total); milk and milk drinks (6% of total); frankfurters, sausages, luncheon meats, spreads, and bacon (6% of total); fried potatoes items (5% of total); and chicken (5% of total).