NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Fast Food Consumption Among Adults in the 

United States, 2013–2016 

Cheryl D. Fryar, M.S.P.H., Jeffery P. Hughes, M.P.H., Kirsten A. Herrick, Ph.D., MSc., and 

Namanjeet Ahluwalia, Ph.D.

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey

● During 2013–2016, 36.6% 

of adults consumed fast food on 

a given day.

● The percentage of adults 

who consumed fast food 

decreased with age: 44.9% aged 

20–39, 37.7% aged 40–59, and 

24.1% aged 60 and over. 

● A higher percentage 

of non-Hispanic black 

adults consumed fast food 

than non-Hispanic white, 

non-Hispanic Asian, and 

Hispanic adults. 

● The percentage of adults 

who consumed fast food 

increased with increasing 

family income.

● Among those who consumed 

fast food, men were more likely 

than women to eat fast food at 

lunch, but women were more 

likely to report eating fast food 

as a snack.

Fast food is a part of the American diet and has been associated with high 

caloric intake (1), and poor diet quality (2). Time, financial resources, price, 

and availability influence fast food consumption (3). This report presents data 

on the percentage of adults who consumed fast food on a given day in the 

United States during 2013–2016.

Keywords: diet • restaurant • pizza • NHANES

What percentage of adults consumed fast food on a 

given day, and did consumption differ by sex and age for 

2013–2016?

In 2013–2016, 36.6% of adults consumed fast food on a given day (Figure 1). 

The percentage of adults who consumed fast food decreased with age: 44.9% 

among younger adults aged 20–39, 37.7% among middle-aged adults aged 

Figure 1. Percentage of adults aged 20 and over who consumed fast food on a given day, by sex 

and age: United States, 2013–2016 

1

Men significantly different from women.

2

Significant decreasing linear trend with age. 

NOTES: Age-adjusted estimates for 20 and over were 37.4% total; 38.4% men; and 36.5% women. Age adjusted by the direct 

method to the 2000 projected U.S. population using age groups 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over. Access data table for 

Figure 1 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db322_table.pdf#1.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016.

0

10

20

30

40

50

Percent

Total2 Men2 Women2

44.9

37.7

24.1

1

37.9

46.5

37.6

25.6

35.4

43.3

37.8

22.7

36.6

20 and over 20–39 40–59 60 and over
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

■ 2 ■

40–59, and 24.1% among older adults aged 60 and over. This pattern by age was observed 

for both men and women. Among all adults, a higher percentage of men (37.9%) than women 

(35.4%) consumed fast foods.

Did the percentage of adults consuming fast food on a given day differ by 

race and Hispanic origin for 2013–2016?

Fast food consumption was higher among non-Hispanic black adults (42.4%) compared with 

non-Hispanic white (37.6%), non-Hispanic Asian (30.6%), and Hispanic (35.5%) adults 

(Figure 2). A higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults consumed fast food compared with 

non-Hispanic Asian adults. 

Among men, the percentage who consumed fast food was higher among non-Hispanic black 

adults (41.8%) compared with non-Hispanic Asian (31.1%) and Hispanic (35.2%) adults. Fast 

food consumption was also higher among non-Hispanic white men (39.0%) compared with 

non-Hispanic Asian men. 

Among women, the percentage of non-Hispanic black adults who consumed fast food (42.9%) 

was higher compared with non-Hispanic white (36.3%), Hispanic (35.8%), and non-Hispanic 

Asian (30.4%) adults. 

There were no significant differences between men and women of the same race and Hispanicorigin group in the percentage who consumed fast food.

Figure 2. Age-adjusted percentage of adults aged 20 and over who consumed fast food on a given day, by sex and race 

and Hispanic origin: United States, 2013–2016 

0

10

20

30

40

50

Total Men Women

Percent

1–342.4

30.6

35.5

1

39.0

1,341.8

31.1

35.2 36.3

1–342.9

30.4

35.8

1

37.6

1

Significantly different from non-Hispanic Asian persons.

2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white persons.

3

Significantly different from Hispanic persons.

NOTES: All estimates are age adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 projected U.S. population using age groups 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over. Access 

data table for Figure 2 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db322_table.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016.

Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Non-Hispanic Asian Hispanic
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

■ 3 ■

Did the percentage of adults consuming fast food on a given day differ by 

family income level for 2013–2016?

The percentage of adults who consumed fast food increased with increasing family income level 

(Figure 3). Overall, 31.7% of lower-income (less than or equal to 130% of the federal poverty 

level [FPL]), 36.4% of middle-income (greater than 130% to less than or equal to 350% of FPL), 

and 42.0% of higher-income (greater than 350% of FPL) adults consumed fast food on a given 

day. A similar pattern was observed for both men and women. 

Within each income level, there was no significant difference in the percentage between men and 

women who consumed fast food.

Figure 3. Age-adjusted percentage of adults aged 20 and over who consumed fast food on a given day, by sex and family 

income level: United States, 2013–2016

0

10

20

30

40

50

Percent

Total1

31.7

36.4

42.0

32.1

36.1

44.0

31.3

36.8

39.7

Women Men1 1

1

Significant increasing linear trend by family income level.

NOTES: FPL is federal poverty level. All estimates are age adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 projected U.S. population using the age groups 20–39, 

40–59, and 60 and over. Access data table for Figure 3 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db322_table.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016. 

Greater than 130% to less than Greater than 350% of FPL

or equal to 350% of FPL

Less than or equal to 

130% of FPL
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

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Among adults who reported consuming fast food, did the percentage vary 

by meal type for 2013–2016?

Among adults who consumed fast food, the most commonly reported eating occasions were lunch 

(43.7%) and dinner (42.0%), followed by breakfast (22.7%) and snacks (22.6%) (Figure 4).

A higher percentage of men (48.3%) than women (39.1%) consumed fast food during lunch, 

while a higher percentage of women (25.7%) than men (19.5%) consumed fast food from snacks. 

Figure 4. Percentage of adults aged 20 and over who consumed fast food on a given day, by sex and eating occasion: 

United States, 2013–2016 Eating occasion

0 10 20 30 40 50

Percent

Breakfast

22.7

21.5

23.8

Lunch

43.7

1

48.3

39.1

Dinner

42.0

42.1

41.9

Snacks

22.6

19.5

1

25.7

1

Men and women are significantly different within eating occasion.

NOTES: Respondents could report multiple occasions of eating fast food. Access data table for Figure 4 at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db322_table.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016. 

Total

Men

Women
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

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Summary

During 2013–2016, approximately 37% of adults consumed fast food on a given day. The overall 

percentage of adults who consumed fast food decreased with age, increased with income, and was 

higher among non-Hispanic black persons compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. 

In addition, a higher percentage of non-Hispanic white adults consumed fast food than did 

non-Hispanic Asian adults. Among men and women who consumed fast food, a higher percentage 

of men ate it for lunch, while a higher percentage of women ate it as a snack.

Fast food consumption has been associated with increased intake of calories, fat, and sodium (4). 

A previous report estimated that adults consumed 11.3% of their total daily calories from fast 

food (1). Consumers can find nutritional information on calories on the menu in most fast food 

establishments and restaurants (5).

Definitions

Fast-food consumption: For each food and beverage item that respondents reported consuming 

during their 24-hour recall, the participant is also asked about the source where they obtained 

those items. Food reported as “restaurant fast food/pizza” was considered fast food for these 

analyses.

Federal poverty level (FPL): Based on the income-to-poverty ratio, a measure of the annual total 

family income divided by the poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size and inflation.

Eating occasion: Distinct eating or drinking occurrence reported during the 24-hour dietary 

interview that consists of one or more food or beverage item. The name of the eating occasion 

was selected from a fixed list provided during the interview. English and Spanish eating 

occasion names were grouped as follows: Breakfast: breakfast, desayuno, and almuerzo; Lunch: 

brunch, lunch, and comida; Dinner: dinner, supper, and cena; and Snack: snack, drink, extended 

consumption (items that were consumed over a long period of time), merienda, entre comidas, 

botana, bocadillo, tentempie, and bebida.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

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Data source and methods

Data for this report are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 

(6), a cross-sectional survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 

designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. 

population. It consists of home interviews followed by standardized physical examinations 

in mobile examination centers (MEC). The NHANES sample is selected through a complex, 

multistage probability design (7). For 2013–2016, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic Asian, and 

Hispanic persons were among the groups oversampled. 

Dietary information was obtained via an in-person, 24-hour dietary recall interview with trained 

interviewers in the MEC. Dietary recall determined intake for the 24-hour period prior to the 

interview (midnight to midnight) (8). Limitations, such as underreporting, are associated with 

24-hour recalls and have been well characterized (8,9). Day 1 dietary sample weights, which 

accounted for the differential probabilities of selection, nonresponse, and noncoverage, as well 

as day of the week of dietary recall and nonresponse to the dietary interview, were incorporated 

into the estimation process. Taylor series linearization was used to compute variance estimates. 

Differences between subgroups, as well as linear trends across age and family income level, 

were evaluated using orthogonal contrasts to calculate a Student’s t statistic. Differences were 

considered significant at p < 0.05. All reported estimates met NCHS presentation standards 

(10). Estimates for the adults were age adjusted using the direct method to the 2000 projected 

U.S. population using the age groups 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over. Statistical analyses were 

conducted using SAS-callable SUDAAN version 11.0 (RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 

N.C.).

About the authors

Cheryl D. Fryar, Jeffery P. Hughes, Kirsten A. Herrick, and Namanjeet Ahluwalia are with the 

National Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

■ 7 ■

References

1. Fryar CD, Ervin RB. Caloric intake from fast food among adults: United States, 2007–2010. 

NCHS Data Brief, no 114. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013.

2. Todd J. Changes in consumption of food away from home and intakes of energy and other 

nutrients among U.S. working-age adults, 2005–2014. Public Health Nutr 20(18):3238–46. 2017.

3. Rahkovsky I, Jo Y, Carlson A. Consumers balance time and money in purchasing 

convenience foods. ERR–251. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. 

2018.

4. Wu HW, Sturm R. What’s on the menu? A review of the energy and nutritional content of 

U.S. chain restaurant menus. Public Health Nutr 16(1):87–96. 2013. 

5. American Heart Association News. Major restaurants now required to show calories on the 

menu. Available from: http://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/07/20/major-restaurants-now-requiredto-show-calories-on-the-menu.

6. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: 

Questionnaires, datasets, and related documentation. Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/nhanes_questionnaires.htm.

7. Johnson CL, Dohrmann SM, Burt VL, Mohadjer LK. National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey: Sample design, 2011–2014. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital 

Health Stat 2(162). 2014.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Parker JD, Talih M, Malec DJ, Beresovsky V, Carroll M, Gonzales Jr. JF, et al. National 

Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for Proportions. National Center for 

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(175). 2017.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 322 ■ October 2018

Suggested citation

Fryar CD, Hughes JP, Herrick KA, 

Ahluwalia, N. Fast food consumption among 

adults in the United States, 2013–2016. 

NCHS Data Brief, no 322. Hyattsville, MD: 

National Center for Health Statistics. 2018.

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

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys

Kathryn S. Porter, M.D., M.S., Director

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

Director for Science

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