Diet Quality & Nutrition

Food choices influence the health and well-being of individuals. Current dietary concerns include the overconsumption of calories, added sugars, and saturated fats; underconsumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; and health conditions such as obesity.

ERS examines factors driving dietary choices and the economic consequences of nutritional and health outcomes. Food and dietary choices are influenced not only by prices and income, but also by family structure, time constraints, psychological factors, nutritional information, and Federal food and nutrition assistance programs. ERS provides in-depth economic analyses of:

the Nation's food consumption trends,
consumer reactions to changes in economic factors such as food prices and income,
consumer reactions to changes in noneconomic factors such as nutrition labeling,
dietary patterns, and
the relationship between food intake and nutritional/health outcomes.

The National School Lunch Program: Background, Trends, and Issues, 2024 Edition Who Shops for Groceries Online? Comparing Food Insecurity Among the U.S. Military and Civilian Adult Populations Utilizing the USDA’s National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey to Calculate a Household-Level Food Environment Measure The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Background, Trends, and Economic Issues, 2024 Edition

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Food Consumption and Nutrient Intake Trends Emerge Over Past Four Decades Children Were Only Age Group Improving Whole-Grain Intakes—School Foods Are a Key Factor Racial and Ethnic Diversification Will Likely Shape U.S. Food Demand and Diet Quality For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households, Fruit and Vegetable Affordability Is Partly a Question of Budgeting Updated Food Access Research Atlas Now Maps Changes in Low-Income and Low-Supermarket Access Areas in 2019

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Food Consumption, Nutrient Intakes, and Diet Quality Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System Eating and Health Module (ATUS) FoodAPS National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey Food Environment Atlas

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Food Choices & Health Food Consumption & Demand Food Access Obesity Consumer Information and Labeling

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