11 Facts about American Eating Habits

1. 20% of meals are eaten in the car.
2. In 2000, Americans consumed an average of 57 more pounds of meat than in the 1950s.
3. According to a 2000 Roper Reports survey, 70 percent of Americans over 18 years old admit that they ate, "pretty much whatever they want."
4. Less than 1/3 of Americans eat more than 1 fruit per day.
5. 1 in 4 Americans consume fast food every day.
6. In 2000, Americans ate 52 teaspoonfuls of added sugar per day.
7. There are almost 50,000 fast food chain restaurants in the United States.
8. About 1/4 of Americans eat more than 2 vegetables per day.
9. Americans spend $100 billion on fast food every year.
10. America's consumption of corn sweeteners (i.e. high fructose corn syrup) has octupled (8x) since the 1950s.
11. In 2001, Americans spent 10% of their disposable income on food.
    • In 1991, it was 11.6%.
    • In 1971, it was 13.4%.

Sources:

CDC

Department of Agriculture

Obesity Epidemic

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Stanford University