TABLE 3.
Maximum discretionary energy allowances and estimated percentages of individuals whose usual intakes of solid fats, added sugars, and alcoholic beverages exceed guidelines, by sex and age, 2001–20041
| Sex/age group | Maximum discretionary energy allowance2 | Energy from solid fats, added sugars, and alcoholic beverages3 | Solid fats4 | Added sugars4 | Alcoholic beverages5 |
| kcal (kJ) | % | ||||
| Children, y | |||||
| 2–3 | 171 (715) | 99.9 ± 0.09 | 99.4 ± 0.38 | 98.3 ± 0.69 | |
| 4–86 | 195–267 (816–1117) | 99.9 ± 0.05 | 99.6 ± 0.25 | 99.2 ± 0.32 | |
| Males, y | |||||
| 9–13 | 410 (1715) | 96.9 ± 0.68 | 97.0 ± 0.93 | 86.0 ± 1.91 | |
| 14–18 | 648 (2711) | 91.0 ± 1.49 | 93.2 ± 1.71 | 69.1 ± 2.19 | |
| 19–30 | 512 (2142) | 98.1 ± 0.47 | 96.3 ± 0.86 | 79.6 ± 3.18 | 21.9 ± 2.90 |
| 31–50 | 512 (2142) | 97.3 ± 0.62 | 95.9 ± 1.33 | 71.1 ± 2.11 | 24.5 ± 1.89 |
| 51–70 | 426 (1782) | 94.0 ± 0.88 | 95.2 ± 1.14 | 55.1 ± 2.32 | 16.6 ± 1.31 |
| ≥71 | 426 (1782) | 83.6 ± 1.92 | 89.4 ± 2.10 | 44.6 ± 1.64 | 8.3 ± 1.24 |
| ≥196 | 95.4 ± 0.58 | 95.2 ± 1.08 | 66.5 ± 1.58 | 20.4 ± 1.28 | |
| Females, y | |||||
| 9–13 | 290 (1213) | 98.4 ± 0.32 | 97.7 ± 0.65 | 92.0 ± 1.13 | |
| 14–18 | 362 (1514) | 95.5 ± 0.90 | 92.4 ± 1.59 | 86.7 ± 1.50 | |
| 19–30 | 362 (1514) | 96.9 ± 0.60 | 94.4 ± 1.37 | 85.0 ± 1.56 | 9.6 ± 1.17 |
| 31–50 | 290 (1213) | 97.8 ± 0.37 | 95.6 ± 0.86 | 84.3 ± 1.29 | 14.8 ± 1.77 |
| 51–70 | 290 (1213) | 91.6 ± 0.93 | 90.4 ± 1.44 | 68.4 ± 1.73 | 11.0 ± 1.59 |
| ≥71 | 290 (1213) | 86.2 ± 1.32 | 86.0 ± 1.57 | 64.1 ± 2.01 | 4.7 ± 1.00 |
| ≥196 | 94.6 ± 0.53 | 92.8 ± 1.02 | 77.9 ± 1.05 | 11.5 ± 0.98 | |
| All persons ≥26 | 95.5 ± 0.33 | 94.7 ± 0.63 | 76.8 ± 0.74 | ||
Data are percentage ± SE.
Discretionary energy allowances depend on the appropriate level of energy and vary by activity level, sex, and age. For this analysis, cutoffs were based on the highest recommended amounts, corresponding to energy levels associated with high activity for each sex-age category.
Percentages of persons whose usual intake of energy from solid fats, added sugars, and alcoholic beverages combined exceeded the maximum discretionary energy allowances.
Percentages of persons whose usual intakes of solids fats and added sugars respectively exceed the example amounts found in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which show how the discretionary energy allowance could be divided.
Percentages of persons whose usual intake of alcohol exceeds the guidelines; the alcohol guidelines (1 drink/d for women and 2 drinks/d for men) are not intended as averages over several days, but rather amounts consumed on any single day.
Sex-age-specific recommendations were applied prior to estimating percentages for collapsed groups. The maximum discretionary energy allowances were 195 kcal (816 kJ) for females 4–8 y and 267 kcal (1117 kJ) for males 4–8 y.