History of food consumption surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Authors: Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/16/2011
Publication Date: 11/1/2017
Citation: Moshfegh, A.J. 2017. History of food consumption surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In: Dupont, J, Beecher, G., editors. History of Human Nutrition Research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service: People, Events, and Accomplishments. Springfield, VA: Technical Information Service. p.171-197. Available: www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/indexpubs.html.

Interpretive Summary: This publication details the major scientific accomplishments of the intramural human nutrition program of USDA from the late 19th century to the end of the first decade of the 21st century. Each chapter documents an era or segment of this program that ranges from “early beginnings” through the “Home Economics era” to more recent expansion of scientific inquiry into the relationship of foods, nutrition, and health among all age groups of this country. Many examples in these chapters demonstrate the role nutrition research plays for the American citizenry, as well as gaps in the knowledge base of diet-health interactions in guiding this mission-driven program. Chapter 6 describes the history of food consumption surveys conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Chapter 6 entitled "History of Food Consumption Surveys Conducted by The U.S. Department of Agriculture” provides an overview of the surveys conducted by USDA to monitor food use and food consumption patterns in the U.S. population since the latter part of the 19th century to 2014. This chapter in the History of Human Nutrition Research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service: People, Events, and Accomplishments addresses the multi-faceted uses of consumption data over this time period including policy programs such as use of this data to inform the Pilot Food Stamp Program, initiated in 1961. Advancements in individual food consumption assessment methodology is also detailed including the development, validation research, and use of USDA’s 5-step Automated Multiple-Pass Method in national data collection today in What We Eat in America, the dietary intake component of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey as well as a number of international studies. The extensive contributions and leadership of USDA’s food consumption survey work to Federal nutrition policy and programs and the advancement of dietary assessment are highlighted in this chapter.