The mean macronutrient intakes of the U.S. population ages 2 years and over and for
specific age and gender groups are in table 1. Overall, about half the day’s total energy came
from carbohydrate, about one-third from total fat, and about one-sixth from protein. The
percent total energy from carbohydrate ranged from 49 percent to 56 percent among the six
groups. However, children 11-19 years of age obtained a much higher percent of energy from
added sugars than adults (21% vs.16%). Individuals 18 years of age and older should keep
total fat intakes between 20 percent and 35 percent, children 4 to 18 years of age between 25
percent and 35 percent, and children 2 to 3 years of age between 30 percent and 35 percent of
total energy [1,2,7].
