Surveys of Food Consumption

This file provides information on the patterns of food consumption and use (economic consumption) for each season of the year for household, individual (physiological) consumption, the status of the American diet, nationwide nutrition levels, and demographic and economic data on households. The data are from a sample of 15,101 households and 14,519 individuals within the 7,532 households surveyed in the Spring of 1965, in the East, South, North Central, and West regions of the United States.This series includes data from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, 1977-1978, which provides information on food consumption at two levels: 1) Food used by entire households at home (Household Use of Food Component) and 2) Foods eaten at home and away from home by individual household members (Individual Intake Component).

The Household Use of Food Component data are from a nationally representative sample of households in the 48 conterminous states and Washington D.C. and include information on household food use and money value of food. Included are data on the foods used, and the kind, amount, source (purchased, home produced, gift or pay), and the price if purchased. The data also include the sex and age of each household member; the number of morning, noon, and evening meals each had during the week from home food supplies and away from home; and the expense for meals and snacks bought away from home.

Data are also included for the counts of guest meals and snacks. Supplemental data are also available for households in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico; households containing one or more elderly persons; and households eligible for the Food Stamp Program.The Individual Intake Component data are from a nationally representative sample of about 36,000 individuals in households in the 48 conterminous states and Washington D.C. Food intake data are for three consecutive days from a 1-day dietary recall in an in-person interview and a self-administered 2-day dietary record.

Individual data are for the amount ingested by name of the eating event (breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, snack, etc.) and include the time the eating event began; with whom it was eaten (alone, other household member, non-household member); and where it was eaten (someone else's home, restaurant, fast-food place, school, etc.). Individual data are included for food bought and eaten away from home by the kind of service (waiter / waitress, counter, cafeteria, vending machine, and carryout) and amount paid were recorded.

Individual data also include health status, height and weight, water consumption, and use of vitamin and mineral supplements. Supplemental data are also available for individuals in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico; households containing one or more elderly persons; and households eligible for the Food Stamp Program.This series includes data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals for 1985 and 1986 which consists of data from an all-income sample and a low-income sample.

The all-income sample was nationally representative and includes about 1,500 women 19 to 50 years in each year and their children 1 to 5 years (about 550 children in each year). A sample of 1,100 men age 19 to 50 years of age was included in 1985 only. The low-income sample was nationally representative and included about 2,100 women in 1985 and about 1,300 women in 1986 and about 1,300 children 1 to 5 years in 1985 and 800 children in 1986.

The files include food intake data for six nonconsecutive days at intervals of approximately two months over a 1-year period. This series includes data from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, 1987-1988, which consists of two components: 1) Household Food Use and 2) Individual Intake data. The Household Food Use component contains data on food used by the household for a 1-week period and on the cost of that food.

The Individual Intake component has data for household members on 3 days of food intake. The data are for food eaten during the day preceding the interview and for a diary of food eaten for the day of and day after the interview.This series contains data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS), 1989-1991, and has 1-day dietary intake data for 15,192 individuals, 3-day dietary intake data for 11,912 individuals, and diet and health information from 5,730 individuals identified as main meal planners / preparers.

Individual data include three consecutive days of dietary data. The DHKS data are for individuals who were identified as the main meal planners / preparers in the CSFII and included data on their knowledge and attitudes toward diet, health, and food safety. The series includes data from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) conducted in 1994-1996 and 1998 and the Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS) conducted in 1994-1996.

The CSFII 1994-1996, 1998 provides information on 2-day food and nutrient intakes by 20,607 individuals of all ages. The DHKS 1994-1996 provides information on dietary knowledge and attitudes of 5,765 individuals 20 years of age and over who provided at least one day of dietary intake data in the CSFII 1994-96. Data collection in 1994 to 1996 included individuals of all ages.

The data collection in 1998, known as the Supplemental Children's Survey, include s data for children from birth through nine years of age. Nationally representative samples were drawn and fielded each year. The CSFII 1998 was designed to be combined with the CSFII 1994-1996; thus, the approaches to sample selection, data collection, data file preparation, and weighting were consistent.

The survey data include: 1) Food and nutrient intake data for individuals with kinds and amounts of foods consumed on each of two nonconsecutive days; source of food, where consumed (at home or away), and time and name of each eating occasion; and (for each of two days and 2-day averages) food intakes expressed both as grams of food from 71 U.S. Department of Agriculture defined food groups / subgroups and nutrient intakes expressed both in units appropriate to the specific nutrient and as percentages of the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances; 2) Dietary knowledge, attitude, and behavior data including the perceived adequacy of food and nutrient intakes; perceived importance of dietary guidance; use and understanding of food labels; knowledge of recommendations for food servings; and awareness of diet-health relationships; and 3) Household-level data with socio-demographic characteristics; annual income (in dollars and as a percent of the Federal poverty thresholds) and income sources; participation in food assistance programs; and food expenditures and shopping practices.

This data comprises government records extracted from the Archival Research Catalog (ARC). See the ARC catalog entry for this series for more information on this data and how to order it.