Dinner 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. Dinner 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: Dinner is usually consumed in the evening and is the daily meal that families most often have together. The frequency of family meals, foods prepared at home and the family food environment are associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality among children and adolescents. Conflicting schedules among family members may increase reliance on take away and packaged foods. There is little information about dinner consumption among children and adolescents. Therefore, this study presents data on dinner consumption among those 2-19 years and compares intakes of dinner consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Overall, 93% of children and adolescents consume dinner on a given day. As children get older, dinner consumption decreases. Overall, Non-Hispanic White children and adolescents consume dinner more frequently than Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals. Dinner consumption by Non-Hispanic Asian individuals was similar to all other race/ethnic groups. When considered by family income, there are no differences in prevalence of dinner consumption, although females 12-19 years with the highest family incomes consume dinner more frequently than those with the lowest family incomes. For almost half of children and adolescents, dinner contributes one-quarter to one-half to total energy intake. Dinner contributes more to the total energy intake of adolescents than younger children. One-quarter to one-third of total nutrient intakes of dinner consumers are obtained at dinner. Foods most frequently consumed at dinner include mixed dishes, particularly sandwiches, grain-based dishes, and pizza. Chicken, including tenders and nuggets are also frequently consumed. About one-third of children and adolescents consume vegetables at dinner. Children and adolescents consume water and sweetened beverages most frequently at dinner.

Technical Abstract: Dinner is usually consumed in the evening and is the daily meal that families most often have together. The frequency of family meals, foods prepared at home and the family food environment are associated with better nutrient intake and diet quality among children and adolescents. Conflicting schedules among family members may increase reliance on take away and packaged foods. There is little information about dinner consumption among children and adolescents. Therefore, this study presents data on dinner consumption among those 2-19 years (N=4,091) and compares intakes of dinner consumers and non-consumers. One day dietary intake data from What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2017-March 2020 were used. Prevalence of dinner consumption and nutrient intakes were compared using two-tailed t-tests and linear trends in dinner consumption were examined by regression analysis. The WWEIA Food Categories were used to describe food intake. Overall, 93% of children and adolescents consume dinner on a given day. As children get older, dinner consumption decreases (P<0.001). Overall, Non-Hispanic White children and adolescents consume dinner more frequently (P<0.001) than Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals. Dinner consumption by Non-Hispanic Asian individuals was similar to all other race/ethnic groups. When considered by family income, there are no differences in prevalence of dinner consumption, with the exception that females 12-19 years with the highest family incomes consume dinner more frequently than those with the lowest family incomes (P<0.001). For almost half of children and adolescents, dinner contributes one-quarter to one-half of total energy intake. Dinner contributes more to the total energy intake of adolescents than younger children. One-quarter to one-third of total nutrient intakes of dinner consumers are obtained at dinner. Foods most frequently consumed at dinner include mixed dishes, particularly sandwiches, grain-based dishes, and pizza. Chicken, including tenders and nuggets are also frequently consumed. About one-third of children and adolescents consume vegetables at dinner. Children and adolescents consume water and sweetened beverages most frequently at dinner.