TABLE 2.

Average energy intake (in calories/d) from food, beverages, or food and beverages combined for meals, snacks, and all eating occasions among US children and adults¹

	Children 2–18 y old			Adults ≥19 y old
	1977–1978	1994–1998	2003–2006	1977–1978	1994–1998	2003–2006
Meals
Food alone	1261 ± 9.7	1226 ± 13.22	1232 ± 8.623	1349 ± 9.3	1403 ± 16.12	1435 ± 9.52
Beverage alone	325 ± 3.3	302 ± 3.82	292 ± 4.12	220 ± 2.3	233 ± 4.32	257 ± 3.623
Food and beverage	1586 ± 12.0	1528 ± 15.22	1524 ± 10.82	1569 ± 10.4	1636 ± 18.92	1692 ± 10.223
Snacks
Food alone	177 ± 4.8	312 ± 8.72	363 ± 6.023	126 ± 3.3	240 ± 6.52	307 ± 6.223
Beverage alone	67 ± 1.9	111 ± 4.22	132 ± 3.723	70 ± 2.2	121 ± 5.12	166 ± 4.723
Food and beverage	244 ± 6.3	423 ± 11.92	496 ± 8.123	196 ± 5.1	361 ± 10.42	472 ± 8.623
Combined meals and snacks
Food alone	1438 ± 10.8	1538 ± 18.22	1595 ± 11.223	1474 ± 9.7	1643 ± 18.92	1741 ± 12.423
Beverage alone	392 ± 4.2	413 ± 6.12	425 ± 6.52	290 ± 3.5	353 ± 7.02	422 ± 7.023
Food and beverage	1830 ± 13.9	1951 ± 22.52	2020 ± 14.723	1765 ± 11.5	1997 ± 23.52	2164 ± 15.123

¹All values are means ± SEs. Data are nationally representative US dietary data from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey 1977–1978 (24), the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals 1994–1998 (25), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006 (25). Meals were defined as breakfast, lunch, or dinner as self-reported by participants. Snacks were defined as any food consumed within 15 min of a participant's self-reported snacking episode.

²Estimates significantly different from 1977–1978, P < 0.05 (Bonferonni-corrected paired t test).

³Estimates significantly different from 1994–1998, P < 0.05 (Bonferonni-corrected paired t test).