Beverage Consumption Patterns in the U.S. Population

Abstract

Beverages play an important role in hydration and beverage choices have changed over the last few years. Therefore, it is important to understand beverage consumption patterns. Using data from the 2003‐2004 and 2005‐2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined beverage consumption for males and females aged 6‐11, 12‐19, 20‐39, 40‐59, and 60+ years and compared the results with those we published previously using NHANES 1999‐2002 data. Appropriate survey weights were used to calculate average consumption of fruit juices, coffee, tea, milk products, regular fruit drinks/ades, diet fruit drinks/ades, regular carbonated soft drinks (RCSD), and diet carbonated soft drinks (DCSD). Preliminary results show that beverage consumption patterns have changed. On average, RCSD, milk products, and fruit juice consumption have decreased, while consumption of diet fruit drinks/ades has increased across most age groups. Many of the consumption pattern differences between race/ethnicities found using the 1999‐2002 data persist.This study was supported by the American Beverage Association.