Lunch Consumption by U.S. Children and Adolescents, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020

Authors: Hoy, M Katherine; Sebastian, Rhonda; Murayi, Theophile; Goldman, Joseph; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Hoy, M.K., Sebastian, R.S., Murayi, T., Goldman, J.D., Moshfegh, A.J. 2024. Lunch Consumption by U.S. Children and Adolescents, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: Consuming lunch may contribute substantially to the nutrient intake of children and adolescents whereas skipping lunch has been associated with lower diet quality. There is little recent data that describes dietary intake of children and adolescents at lunch. Therefore, this study presents data on lunch consumption among those 2-19 years and compares intakes of lunch consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Overall, 85% of children and adolescents consume lunch on a given day. As children get older, lunch consumption decreases. Overall, Non-Hispanic White children and adolescents consume lunch more frequently than Non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic individuals. Lunch consumption by Non-Hispanic Black individuals was similar to all other race/ethnic groups. There were no differences between males and females. When considered by family income, those with higher family incomes reported lunch more frequently than those with the lowest family incomes. For one-third or more of children and adolescents, the contribution of lunch to total energy intake was 25-50%. About one in ten children and adolescents obtain more than half of their total energy at lunch, and the frequency increases with age. One-quarter to one-third of total nutrient intakes of lunch consumers are obtained at lunch. Foods frequently consumed at lunch include sandwiches, pizza, and chicken nuggets. Water and sweetened beverages are the beverages consumed most frequently at lunch.

Technical Abstract: Consuming lunch may contribute substantially to the nutrient intake of children and adolescents whereas skipping lunch has been associated with lower diet quality. There is little recent data that describes dietary intake of children and adolescents at lunch. Therefore, this study presents data on lunch consumption among those 2-19 years (N=4,091) and compares intakes of lunch consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Prevalence of lunch consumption and nutrient intakes were compared using two-tailed t-tests and linear trends in lunch consumption were examined by regression analysis. The WWEIA Food Categories were used to describe food intake. Overall, 85% of children and adolescents consume lunch on a given day. As children get older, lunch consumption decreases (p<0.001 for linear trend). Overall, Non-Hispanic White children and adolescents consume lunch more frequently (p<0.001) than Non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic individuals. Lunch consumption by Non-Hispanic Black individuals was similar to all other race/ethnic groups. There were no differences between males and females. When considered by family income, those with higher family incomes reported lunch more frequently (p<0.001) than those with the lowest family incomes. For one-third or more of children and adolescents, the contribution of lunch to total energy intake was 25-50%. About one in ten children and adolescents obtain more than half of their total energy at lunch, and the frequency increases with age. One-quarter to one-third of total nutrient intakes of lunch consumers are obtained at lunch. Foods frequently consumed at lunch include sandwiches (33%), pizza (11%), and chicken tenders and nuggets (14%). Water and sweetened beverages are the beverages consumed most frequently at lunch, reported by 33% and 22% of children and adolescents, respectively.