Beverage Choices among Children: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-2018

Authors: Martin, Carrie; Clemens, John; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2020
Publication Date: 10/28/2020
Citation: Martin, C.L., Clemens, J.C., Moshfegh, A.J. 2020. Beverage Choices among Children: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-2018. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: Beverage consumption is an important contributor to energy and nutrients in the diets of children. Using nationally representative survey data from 2017-2018, this research presents results on beverage consumption among U.S. children, age 2 to 19 years, and describes the energy and nutrients that beverages contribute to overall intake. On any given day, children consumed 5 ½ cups of beverages, of which more than half was water. After water, the most commonly consumed beverages were sweetened beverages and milk. Beverages provided 18% of daily energy intake and about 40% of added sugars as well as large amounts of select vitamins and minerals. This research emphasizes the impact that beverage intake has on the overall diets of U.S. children. The data brief is available on the Food Surveys Research Group website www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.

Technical Abstract: Beverage consumption is an important contributor to energy and nutrients in the diets of children. This research presents results on beverage consumption among U.S. children. The study sample (n=2,380) included nationally representative data from individuals 2 to 19 years participating in What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-2018. Dietary intake data were obtained from an in-person 24-hour recall, collected using the interviewer-administered 5-step USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method. The most commonly consumed beverage was water, reported by 82% to 86% of children, depending on age range. After water, the most commonly consumed beverages were sweetened beverages (48% to 58%) and milk (29% to 69%). Non-Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black and Hispanic children reported sweetened beverages more often than NH Asian children. On any given day, children consumed 5 ½ cups of beverages, of which more than half was water. Following water, sweetened beverages were consumed in the largest amount and increased with age. Beverages provided 18% of daily energy intake and about 40% of added sugars as well as large amounts of select vitamins and minerals. With increasing age, beverage intake provided a greater percentage of mean daily added sugar. In contrast, the youngest children consumed a greater proportion of their protein, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus intake through beverages, particularly from milk intake. This research emphasizes the impact that beverage intake has on the overall diets of U.S. children. The data brief is available on the Food Surveys Research Group website www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg.