NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Children and 

Adolescents in the United States, 2015–2018

Edwina A. Wambogo, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., R.D., Nicholas Ansai, M.P.H., Namanjeet Ahluwalia, Ph.D., D.Sc., 

and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P.

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey, 

2015–2018

● In 2015–2018, 

approximately three-quarters of 

children and adolescents aged 

2–19 (75.3%) consumed fruit 

on a given day. 

● The percentage of children 

and adolescents who consumed 

any fruit on a given day 

decreased with age.

● A little more than 90% of 

children and adolescents aged 

2–19 consumed vegetables on a 

given day.

● The percentage of children 

and adolescents who consumed 

any fruit on a given day 

increased with income, from 

72.1% of those from families 

with income less than 130% of 

the federal poverty level (FPL) 

to 79.6% of those from families 

with income equal to or above 

350% of FPL.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2015–2020 (1), recommends 

consuming different types of vegetables, including dark green, red or orange, 

starchy, and other vegetables, and fruit, especially whole fruit. Fruits and 

vegetables are part of healthy eating patterns; they are sources of many essential 

nutrients, fiber and phytochemicals, and are associated with decreased risk of 

chronic diseases (1–3). This report examines the percentage of children and 

adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed fruits and vegetables on a given day in 

2015–2018.

What percentage of children and adolescents consumed 

fruit on a given day in 2015–2018, and were there differences 

by age?

In 2015–2018, approximately three-quarters (75.3%) of children and 

adolescents aged 2–19 consumed any fruit on a given day; 32.1% consumed 

0

20

40

75.3

190.1

80.6

64.3

32.1

145.2

167.7 162.1

21.9

49.7 46.9

37.5

54.3 51.4

37.7 36.4

60

80

Percent

100

Citrus, melons, Other whole fruit Fruit juice

or berries

Any

Figure 1: Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed fruit on a given day, 

by age: United States, 2015–2018

1Significant decreasing trend with age.

NOTES: Percentages are based on Food Patterns Equivalents Database food groups. Access data table for Figure 1 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db391-tables-508.pdf#1.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018.

Total 2–5 6–11 12–19

NCHS reports can be downloaded from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/index.htm.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

■  2  ■

citrus, melons, or berries, 49.7% consumed other whole fruit, and 46.9% consumed fruit juice 

(Figure 1). 

The percentage of children and adolescents who consumed any fruit on a given day decreased 

with age. Approximately 90% of children aged 2–5 consumed any fruit, compared with 80.6% of 

children aged 6–11 and 64.3% of adolescents aged 12–19. 

Similarly, there was a decreasing trend with age in the percentage of children and adolescents 

who consumed citrus, melons, or berries, from 45.2% of children aged 2–5, to 37.5% of children 

aged 6–11, and 21.9% of adolescents aged 12–19. The percentage of children and adolescents 

who consumed other whole fruit decreased from 67.7% of children aged 2–5, to 54.3% of 

children aged 6–11, and 37.7% of adolescents aged 12–19. Finally, for fruit juice the percentage 

decreased from 62.1% of children aged 2–5, to 51.4% of children aged 6–11, and 36.4% of 

adolescents aged 12–19.

What percentage of children and adolescents consumed vegetables on a 

given day in 2015–2018, and were there differences by age?

In 2015–2018, more than 90% (91.0%) of children and adolescents aged 2–19 consumed any 

vegetables on a given day: 16.7% consumed dark green vegetables, 75.0% consumed red or 

orange vegetables, 47.5% consumed starchy vegetables (such as potatoes), and 55.7% consumed 

other vegetables (Figure 2). 

Figure 2: Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed vegetables on a given day, by age: 

United States, 2015–2018

1Significant increasing trend with age.

2Significantly different from the 12–19 age group.

3Significant decreasing trend with age.

NOTES: Percentages are based on Food Patterns Equivalents Database food groups. Access data table for Figure 2 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db391-tables-508.pdf#2.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. Percent

Total 2–5 6–11 12–19

0

20

40

60

80

91.0 91.1 90.2 91.5

75.0

16.7 113.9 16.1

18.5

73.6

272.7 77.5

47.5

350.9

55.7 54.3 55.1 56.8

47.8 45.6

100

Any Dark green Red or orange Starchy Other
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

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No differences existed, by age, in the percentage of children and adolescents who consumed any 

vegetables on a given day. However, the percentage of children and adolescents who consumed 

dark green vegetables on a given day increased with age, from 13.9% of children aged 2–5 to 

18.5% of adolescents aged 12–19. The percentage who consumed starchy vegetables on a given 

day decreased with age, from 50.9% of children aged 2–5 to 45.6% of adolescents aged 12–19. 

More adolescents aged 12–19 (77.5%) consumed red and orange vegetables, compared with 

children aged 6–11 (72.7%). The difference between adolescents and children aged 2–5 (73.6%) 

was not significant.

Were there differences by income in the percentage of children and 

adolescents who consumed fruit on a given day in 2015–2018?

The percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed any fruit on a given day 

increased with increasing family income (Figure 3). Among families with incomes less than 

130% of the federal poverty level (FPL), 72.1% of children and adolescents consumed any 

fruit on a given day, increasing to 79.6% of those from families with incomes at or above 350% 

of the FPL. 

The percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed citrus, melon, or berries 

also increased with increasing family income, from 25.4% of those from families with incomes 

less than 130% of the FPL to 39.8% of those from families with incomes at or above 350% of the 

Figure 3: Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed fruit on a given day, by income: 

United States, 2015–2018

1Significant increasing trend with income.

NOTES: FPL is federal poverty level. Percentages are based on Food Patterns Equivalents Database food groups. Access data table for Figure 3 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db391-tables-508.pdf#3.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. Percent

0

20

40

60

80

172.1

75.4

31.6

39.8

79.6

144.5

51.0

54.1

48.7

44.5

47.6

125.4

100

Any Citrus, melons, or berries Other whole fruit Fruit juice

Less than 130% FPL 130% to less than 350% FPL Equal to or greater than 350% FPL
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

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FPL. Similarly, the percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed other types 

of whole fruit increased with increasing family income, from 44.5% of those from families with 

incomes less than 130% of the FPL to 54.1% of those from families with incomes at or above 

350% of the FPL. 

No significant differences existed, by income, in the percentage of children and adolescents aged 

2–19 who consumed fruit juice on a given day (48.7% of those from families with incomes less 

than 130% of the FPL, 44.5% of those from families with incomes between 130%–350% of the 

FPL, and 47.6% of those from families with incomes at or above 350% of the FPL).

Were there differences by income in the percentage of children and 

adolescents who consumed vegetables on a given day in 2015–2018?

More than 90% (91.0%) of children and adolescents from families with incomes less than 130% 

of the FPL consumed any vegetables, compared with 89.7% of those from families with incomes 

between 130%–350% of the FPL, and 93.2% of those from families with incomes at or above 

350% of the FPL (Figure 4). None of these differences were statistically significant. 

Similarly, no significant differences existed by income in the percentage of children and 

adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed red and orange vegetables (74.6%, 74.8%, and 77.0% for 

each income group), starchy vegetables (49.8%, 46.7%, and 46.4%) and other vegetables (57.1%, 

53.6%, and 56.3%).

Figure 4: Percentage of children and adolescents aged 2–19 who consumed vegetables on a given day, by income: 

United States, 2015–2018

1Significant increasing trend with income.

NOTES: FPL is federal poverty level. Percentages are based on Food Patterns Equivalents Database food groups. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db391-tables-508.pdf#4.

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015–2018. Percent

Less than 130% FPL 130% to less than 350% FPL Equal to or greater than 350% FPL

0

20

40

60

80

91.0 89.7

93.2

74.6

49.8

57.1

53.6 56.3

46.7 46.4

74.8

113.6

77.0

14.5

22.6

100

Any Dark green Red or orange Starchy Other
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

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However, the percentage of children and adolescents who consumed dark green vegetables on a 

given day increased with increasing family income. Among families with incomes less than 130% 

of the FPL, 13.6% of children and adolescents consumed dark green vegetables, increasing to 

22.6% of those from families with incomes at or above 350% of the FPL.

Summary

In 2015–2018, more than three-quarters of children and adolescents aged 2–19 consumed fruit, 

and approximately 90% consumed vegetables on a given day. Consumption of fruit declined with 

age but increased with family income, while there was no difference by these characteristics in 

the percentage of children and adolescents who consumed vegetables. Just under one-third of 

children and adolescents (32%) reported consuming citrus, melons, and berries. Approximately 

17% reported consuming dark green vegetables, while three-quarters consumed red and orange 

vegetables.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate plan (2), a food pattern consistent with the 

DGA, 2015–2020 (1), states that one-half of the plate should be fruits and vegetables. Overall, 

the dietary guidelines encourage a variety of fruits and vegetables. While it is not necessary to 

consume all different groups of fruits and vegetables in a day, varying the types consumed is a 

way to meet daily intake recommendations (1,4). 

Definitions

Food categories: Food categories are from the USDA’s Food Patterns Equivalents Database 

(FPED) (5). FPED disaggregates all foods reported in NHANES to individual ingredients and 

assigns those ingredients to food groups and subgroups. Fruit food groups included citrus, 

melons, berries; other fruit; and fruit juice. Vegetable food groups included dark green vegetables 

(such as spinach, collard greens, and broccoli), red and orange vegetables (such as carrots, red 

peppers, and tomatoes), starchy vegetables (such as potatoes, plantains, and cassava), and other 

vegetables (such as cauliflower, string beans, and eggplants). The 2015–2016 FPED files were 

used in this analysis. Foods from 2017–2018 not included in the 2015–2016 FPED files were 

manually coded, representing 2.7% of foods reported in 2015–2018.

Federal poverty level: Levels were based on the income to poverty ratio, a measure of the annual 

total family income divided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty 

guidelines, after accounting for inflation and family size (6). 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

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Data source and methods 

NHANES data for 2015–2018 were used for these analyses. NHANES is a series of crosssectional, nationally representative surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population. 

NHANES is administered by the National Center for Health Statistics to assess the diet, health, 

nutrition status, and health-related behaviors of the U.S. population. It combines an in-home 

interview and a standardized physical examination at a mobile examination center (MEC). Details 

of the NHANES study design, implementation, data sets, analytic considerations, and other 

documentation are available online (7). 

This report uses dietary data collected via an in-person 24-hour dietary recall using the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s standardized Automated Multiple Pass Method (AMPM). Dietary 

recalls cover foods and beverages consumed on the day (midnight to midnight) prior to the 

examination in the MEC. Survey participants aged 12 and over completed dietary interviews on 

their own, parents or guardians assisted children aged 6 to 11, and parents or guardians reported 

intakes for children aged 5 or under. Limitations associated with self-report dietary data, such as 

misreporting, have been described (8). Despite these limitations, dietary recalls have utility in 

assessing population level estimates (7,9). 

Data were analyzed using the day 1 dietary recall sample weights to account for differential 

probabilities of selection, nonresponse, and noncoverage. The standard errors of the percentages 

were estimated using Taylor series linearization, a method that incorporates the sample design.

Differences between groups were evaluated using t statistics. Tests for linear trends by age and 

income were evaluated using orthogonal polynomials. All significance levels for statistical 

testing were at the p less than 0.05 significance level. All differences reported are statistically 

significant unless otherwise indicated. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS version 

9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.) and SUDAAN version 11.0 (RTI International, Research Triangle 

Park, N.C.).

About the authors 

Edwina A. Wambogo, Nicholas Ansai, Namanjeet Ahluwalia, and Cynthia L. Ogden are with the 

National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

■  7  ■

References

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015–2020 

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 8th ed. 2015. Available from: https://health.gov/our-work/

food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines/. 

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nutrients and health benefits. Available from: https://www.

choosemyplate.gov/eathealthy/vegetables/vegetables-nutrients-health. 

3. Slavin JL, Lloyd B. Health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Adv Nutr 3(4):506–16. 2012.

4. Liu RH. Health-promoting components of fruits and vegetables in the diet. Adv Nutr 

4(3):384–92. 2013.

5. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food Patterns Equivalents Database 2015–2016: 

Methodology and user guide. 2018. 

6. Chen TC, Clark J, Riddles MK, Mohadjer LK, Fakhouri THI. National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey, 2015–2018: Sample design and estimation procedures. National Center for 

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(184). 2020.

7. Ahluwalia N, Dwyer J, Terry A, Moshfegh A, Johnson C. Update on NHANES dietary data: 

Focus on collection, release, analytical considerations, and uses to inform public policy. Adv Nutr 

7(1):121–34. 2016.

8. Subar AF, Freedman LS, Tooze JA, Kirkpatrick SI, Boushey C, Neuhouser ML, et al. 

Addressing current criticism regarding the value of self-report dietary data. J Nutr 145(12):2639–

45. 2015.

9. Hébert JR, Hurley TG, Steck SE, Miller DR, Tabung FK, Peterson KE, et al. Considering the 

value of dietary assessment data in informing nutrition-related health policy. Adv Nutr 5(4):447–

55. 2014.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 391 ■ November 2020

Suggested citation

Wambogo EA, Ansai N, Ahluwalia N, Ogden 

CL. Fruit and vegetable consumption of 

children and adolescents in the United States, 

2015–2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 391. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2020.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Brian C. Moyer, Ph.D., Director

Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Acting Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys

Ryne Paulose-Ram, M.A., Ph.D., Acting 

Director

Lara J. Akinbami, M.D., Acting Associate 

Director for Science

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Keywords: diet • National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

(NHANES)