55 Percent of Calories Come From Ultraprocessed Foods in the United States

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com

via HealthDay

THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2025 -- The mean percentage of total calories consumed from ultraprocessed foods was 55.0 percent among those aged 1 year and older during August 2021 to August 2023, according to an August data brief published by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Anne M. Williams, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, and colleagues used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to describe ultraprocessed food intake during August 2021 to August 2023.

The researchers found that among those aged 1 year and older, the mean percentage of total calories consumed from ultraprocessed foods was 55.0 percent during August 2021 to August 2023. Compared with adults aged 19 years and older, youth aged 1 to 18 years consumed a higher percentage of calories from ultraprocessed foods (61.9 versus 53.0 percent). The mean percentage of total calories consumed from ultraprocessed foods was lowest in the highest family income group among adults. Among youth and adults, sandwiches, sweet bakery products, savory snacks, and sweetened beverages were four of the top five sources of calories from ultraprocessed foods. The consumption of mean calories from ultraprocessed foods decreased among adults between 2013-2014 and August 2021-August 2023.

"Although youth and adults consumed the majority of their calories from ultraprocessed foods in the past decade, a decrease was seen in ultraprocessed food consumption among youth and adults between 2017-2018 and August 2021-August 2023, and a decrease was seen among adults from 2013-2014 to August 2021-August 2023," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords