Comparison of Beverage Choices among Children: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 and 2017-2018

Authors: Martin, Carrie; Goldman, Joseph; Waller, Anna; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Martin, C.L., Goldman, J.D., Waller, A.W., Moshfegh, A.J. 2024. Comparison of Beverage Choices among Children: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 and 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 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, this research compares results on beverage consumption among U.S. children, ages 2 to 19 years, as well as the energy and nutrients that beverages contribute to overall intake. After water, the most commonly consumed beverages were sweetened beverages and milk during both timeframes. Sweetened beverages, milk, and 100% juice were consumed less frequently in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 while water was consumed more frequently. Children ages 2 to 5 years and 6 to 11 years reported less 100% juice in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 and children ages 6 to 11 years and 12-19 years reported less sweetened beverages. Daily intake of sweetened beverages, soft drinks, and fruit drinks in fluid ounces was lower in 2017-2018 compared to 2007-2008 among children consuming each type. Beverages contributed less energy and other nutrients to daily intake in 2017-2018 compared to 2007-2008. The contribution of energy from each type of beverage was similar between 2007-2008 and 2017-2018 among all age groups. 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 compares results on beverage consumption among U.S. children during 2007-2008 and 2017-2018. The study sample included nationally representative data from 3,109 and 2,380 individuals aged 2 to 19 years participating in What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008 and 2017-2018, respectively. 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 during both survey timeframes was water, followed by sweetened beverages and milk. Sweetened beverages, milk, and 100% juice were consumed less frequently in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 while water was consumed more frequently. Reports of water were higher in 2017-2018 than 2007-2008 among all age groups. Reports of 100% juice was lower in 2017-2018 among children ages 2 to 5 years and 6 to 11 years and reports of sweetened beverages were lower among children ages 6 to 11 years and 12 to 19 years. Mean daily intake of sweetened beverages, soft drinks, and fruit drinks in fluid ounces was lower in 2017-2018 compared to 2007-2008 among children consuming each type. Beverages contributed less energy, carbohydrate, protein, added sugars, and select vitamins and minerals to daily intake in 2017-2018 compared to 2007-2008. Milk contributed over half of daily energy from beverages among children ages 2 to 5 years while sweetened beverages contributed approximately half of the daily energy from beverages among children ages 12 to 19 years during both timeframes. 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.