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NATIONWIDE FOOD CONSUMPTION SURVEY (NFCS), 1977-78
Description:
The nutritional well being of the Nation is important to consumers, educators, health professionals, program policy planners, food manufacturers, and farmers. One mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is to determine the amount, cost, and nutritive value of foods used by households, as well as the food and nutrient intakes by individual household members. The NFCS 1977-78 provided information on food consumption at two levels: food used by entire households at home (household food use component) and food eaten at home and away from home by individual houshold members (individual intake component). 1. In the household component the basic sample was a nationally representative sample of about 15,000 households in the 48 conterminous States and Washington DC. Information on household food use and money value of food was collected using a 7-day list recall. The survey included several supplemental samples: Households containing one or more elderly persons (elderly), households in Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii, and households eligible for the Food Stamp Program (low-income). A follow-up low-income survey was conducted in 1979-80. 2. In the individual intake component, the sample included a nationally representative sample of about 36,000 individuals in the 48 conterminous States and Washington DC. Food intake was collected over 3 consecutive days using a 1-day dietary recall in an in-person interview and a self-administered 2-day dietary record. The supplemental samples were the same as those described in the household component above. This program has been replaced by the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) at http://www.barc.usda.gov/bhnrc/foodsurvey/fsrg.htm
