Consumption of pizza in the United States, what we eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 prepandemic

Authors: Hoy, Mary; Murayi, Theophile; Moshfegh, Alanna

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2024
Publication Date: 11/25/2024
Citation: Hoy, M.K., Murayi, T., Moshfegh, A.J. 2024. Consumption of pizza in the United States, what we eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 prepandemic. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: Pizza is a popular go-to option for last-minute meals and get-togethers because it is convenient, affordable, and easy to serve. It has also been ranked as the fourth most craved food. Given its popularity, characterizing who consumes pizza and its contribution to dietary intake of the U.S. population is informative. The purpose of this report is to describe current data on pizza consumption among the U.S. population and its contribution to energy and nutrient intake. For this report, dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 Prepandemic were used. Overall, 11% of the population consumed pizza on any given day. There were no differences in percentages who consumed pizza by gender, age, race/ethnicity, or income. Pizza contributed over one-quarter of total energy intake. Pizza contributed more to total energy intake of adolescents 12-19 years compared to children less than 12 years. The contribution of pizza to energy intake of adolescents was similar to adults. Pizza contributed at least one-quarter to total nutrient intakes of protein, fiber, folate, and calcium. About one-third of total fat, saturated fat, and sodium intakes were from pizza. Most pizza was consumed at lunch and dinner. Among children and adolescents, almost half of pizza was consumed at lunch and at dinner and about two thirds of pizza consumption by adults was at dinner. Over half of pizza was obtained from restaurants and one quarter was obtained from the grocery store. On average, males consumed four and females consumed three slices of pizza at an eating occasion.

Technical Abstract: Pizza is a popular go-to option for last-minute meals and get-togethers because it is convenient, affordable, and easy to serve. It has also been ranked as the fourth most craved food. As a mixed food item, pizza is a good source of many nutrients. However, many of the qualities that make pizza craveable may lead to excess intake of some nutrients that are of public health concern – saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. Given its popularity, characterizing who consumes pizza and its contribution to dietary intake of the U.S. population is informative. The purpose of this report is to describe current data on pizza consumption among the U.S. population and its contribution to energy and nutrient intake. For this report, dietary intake data from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2017-March 2020 Prepandemic were used. Mean percentages between sociodemographic groups were compared and considered statistically different at P<0.001. Overall, 11% of the population consumed pizza on any given day. There were no differences in percentages who consumed pizza by gender, age, race/ethnicity, or income. Pizza contributed about 27% to total energy intake. Pizza contributed more to total energy intake of adolescents 12-19 years compared to children less than 12 years. The contribution of pizza to energy intake of adolescents was similar to adults. Pizza contributed at least one-quarter to total nutrient intakes of protein, fiber, folate, and calcium. About one-third of total fat, saturated fat, and sodium intakes were from pizza. Most pizza was consumed at lunch and dinner. Among children and adolescents, almost half of pizza was consumed at lunch (41%) and at dinner (48%), whereas almost two thirds (58%) of pizza consumption by adults was at dinner. Over half of pizza was obtained from restaurants and one quarter was obtained from the grocery store. On average, males consumed four and females consumed three slices of pizza at an eating occasion.