Kids Eating Fewer Calories, Adults Eating Less Fast Food
Following reports that childhood obesity rates have dipped for the first time in 30 years, the CDC has reported that children are eating fewer calories, while adults are consuming less fast food.
According to the CDC study, boys' calorie intake has dropped 7 percent from 1999 to 2010, while girls' calorie intake dropped 4 percent. While children's calories from fat intake remained the same over time, The New York Times reports, it turns out children are eating more protein and less carbohydrates.
Even more surprising: Adults are getting less calories from fast food. While 13 percent of adults' calorie intake came from fast food in 2006, the new study found that 11 percent of adults' calories were fast-food calories in 2010. Calorie intake remained the same, but the numbers were coming from foods other than hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, and fries. "The percent of calories from fast food has gone down a significant amount," Cheryl Fryar, lead study author, said.
Even better, adults' fast-food consumption was not affected by income, although the study notes that for young adults (20 to 39 years old), fast-food consumption decreased as incomes increased.