The following tables show the change in consumption of macronutrients and total calories in the US between 1970 and 1994. It is clear to see that carbs increased (mainly grains and sugar), while fats (saturated) decreased (fish increased, but meat decreased in that group). Overall calories increased by 15%. This is a one-time only study. Other data since 1994 only shows yearly per capita consumption, but from that you can tell that a peak consumption of carbs was reached in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately there was no similar data for Canada that I could find. (If anyone knows of any please advise.) Canadian obesity rates in 2000 were about half the US, however, increasing rapidly. Probably the reason for that is less restaurant food as Canadians have less disposable income, rather than any other fitness or lifestyle differences. One more thing - CDC/FDA/USDA nutritionists knew this 10 years ago, but I guess they forgot to tell the public until now.
(If the tables don't show, read Table 1 as follows: meat fish and poultry - 0 grams of carbs in 1970 and 1994 and 38 grams of protein in 1970 increasing to 43 grams in 1994... and so on. Grams of carbohydrates from grain products increased from 134 to 199 over the period. Total carbohydrate consumption increased from 388 to 491 over the period. Table 2 shows that consumption of fats remained relatively constant. Other tables - not shown - indicate saturated fat consumption decreased, but vegetable oil consumption increased.)
Table 1
US Consumption of Major Nutrients By Food Group (Per Capita Per Day)
Years 1970 and 1994
Food Group
Carbohydrate (grams) Protein (grams)
1970 1994 1970 1994
Meat, Fish, Poultry
0 0 38 43
Dairy Products
25 23 20 21
Eggs
1 0 5 4
Fats and Oils
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Citrus Fruits
7 9 1 1
Other Fruits
17 22 1 1
Nuts/Legumes/Soy
9 10 5 7
White Potatoes
21 22 2 3
Green/Yell Veg.1/
3 3 N/A N/A
Other Vegetables
15 15 3 3
Grain Products
134 199 18 26
Sugars, Sweets
152 184 N/A N/A
Miscellaneous
4 4 1 1
Total
388 491 94 110
Notes: 1/ Includes broccoli, escarole/endive, bell peppers, spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Source: USDA/Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Table 2
US Consumption of Major Nutrients By Food Group (Per Capita Per Day)
Years 1970 and 1994
Food Group
Fats (grams) Energy (Kilo-calories)
1970 1994 1970 1994
Meat, Fish, Poultry
53 39 650 540
Dairy Products
19 20 350 350
Eggs
4 3 60 50
Fats and Oils
66 83 580 740
Citrus Fruits
N/A N/A 30 40
Other Fruits
1 1 70 90
Nuts/Legumes/Soy
5 6 100 110
White Potatoes
N/A N/A 90 100
Green/Yell Veg.1/
N/A N/A 10 10
other Vegetables
1 1 70 70
Grain Products
2 4 640 950
Sugars, Sweets
0 0 590 690
Miscellaneous
3 4 40 50
Total *
*154 *161 3,300 3,800
Total **
**146 **148 3,300 3,800
Notes: 1/ Includes broccoli, escarole/endive, bell peppers, spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Source: USDA/Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion: * Table 42; ** Table 43 (presents conflicting data).