The aim of this study was to identify the principal dietary sources of energy, solid fats, and added sugars among U.S. children and adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results showed that the top sources of energy for 2- to 18 year-olds were grain desserts (cakes, cookies, donuts, pies) (138 kcal/day), pizza (136 kcal/day), soda (118 kcal/day), yeast breads (114 kcal/day) and chicken (113 kcal/day). Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) (soda and fruit drinks combined) provided 173 kcal/day. The top contributors of energy varied by age, sex, race/ethnicity and income. Nearly 40% of total energy consumed (798 of 2,027 kcal/day) by 2- to 18-year-olds were in the form of empty calories (433 kcal from solid fat and 365 kcal from added sugars). About half of these empty calories came from six specific foods: soda, fruit drinks, dairy desserts, grain desserts, pizza, and whole milk. These data highlight the alarming proportion of unhealthy foods the children and adolescents are consuming. Experts are therefore recommending to change the choices of food available to children by limiting unhealthy foods in their daily environment and providing education about healthy foods.
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