Kids in the US Consuming Less Calories: CDC

A latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that kids in the U.S. are consuming fewer calories than they did a decade ago. This is the first decline noticed in more than 40 years.

It was noted that the children's average energy intake between 1999 and 2010 dropped from 2,258 calories per day to 2,100 calories per day in boys. Whereas in girls, the numbers dropped from 1,831 calories per day to 1,755 calories per day.

The latest study included U.S. children belonging to the age group of 2-19. It was observed that a significant drop in the energy intake was in boys between the age group of 2-11 and in girls between the age group of 12-19.

The findings were based on dietary data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, of which 17 percent of the children were obese.

"This certainly reflects an improvement in food and drink-related decisions," Rebecca Solomon, coordinator of clinical nutrition at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, was quoted as saying in US News. "It would seem that education and public awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight may finally be getting to its intended audience."

According to study researcher of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics R. Bethene Ervin, the findings are surprising, as the level of childhood obesity in the country hasn't seen a decline.

But it was seen that between 2007 and 2010 the level of childhood obesity stabilized and did not increase. The researcher predicts that a decline in children's energy intake has contributed to the stabilizing of obesity levels.

The latest study noticed that the carbohydrate consumption decreased in boys from 55 percent to 54.3 percent in 2009-2010. The decrease was noticed only in white and black boys, and not Hispanic boys. In girls, the carbohydrate consumption dropped from 55.8 percent to 54.5 percent. Only white girls consumed fewer calories.

According to federal data, Americans eat nearly one-third of the calories outside home. Obese people are the ones who consume more fast food, reports NY Times.