Trends in Consumption of Food Away from Home 1977-1995 and Implications for Achieving Dietary Guidelines for Fat Intake

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To become aware of trends in food consumption away from home, the fat content of food eaten out, and the implications for meeting the Dietary Guideline for fat intake. In recent years, eating away from home has become increasingly common. We used data from nationwide food consumption surveys conducted by the US Department of Agriculture between 1977 and 1995 to assess trends in consumption of food away from home and their implications for meeting the Dietary Guideline to limit fat intake to 30 percent of calories or less. Between 1977-78 and 1995, consumption of food away from home by Americans 2 years of age and over increased from 19 percent of total caloric consumption to 36 percent of calories (these figures include take-out food). Eating out increased among both children and adults during this time period, and fast-food establishments, in particular, rose in popularity among both age groups. Among children ages 2-17, fast-food accounted for 12 percent of meals away from home in 1977-78, whereas schools accounted for 64 percent. By 1995, fast-food and schools each accounted for about one-third of meals eaten out by children. Among adults, the proportion of meals away from home that were fast-food rose from 38 percent in 1977-78 to 45 percent in 1995. During the time period studied, the fat content of food from the home food supply dropped steadily, from 41 percent in 1977-78 to 32 percent in 1995. The fat content of food away from home declined comparatively slightly from 41 percent in 1977-78 to 37 percent in 1995. As the trend to eating out continues, the higher fat content of food consumed away from home may be a barrier to meeting the Dietary Guideline for fat. Possible reasons for the higher fat content of food eaten away from home are discussed and potential nutrition promotion strategies to reduce its fat content are considered.