Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 1/22/14

More frequent dining at home and attention to nutrition labels are among factors contributing to improved diet quality of American adults, according to new USDA research.

The study tracked eating patterns and diet quality among working-age adults from 2005 to 2010, finding that they’re eating fewer calories by eating more often at home and reading more intently nutrition labels on packaging and menu boards to steer healthier choices.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data suggests caloric intake fell to 78 calories per day, or 3.4 percent relative to 2005-06, as people cut down on fat (3.3 percent), saturated fat (5.9 percent) and cholesterol (7.9 percent). Meanwhile, consumers upped their fiber intake by 7.5 percent to 1.2 grams per day, according to the report.

Some of the improvement can be attributed to increased reading of food labels. The study says 42 percent of working-age adults and 57 percent of older adults they used the nutrition facts panel on food labels "most or all of the time when making food choices" in 2009-2010, versus 34 percent and 51 percent, respectively, making that claim in 2007-2008.

To read the full report, click here.  

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