Use of Household Food-Consumption Data for National Food-Consumption Surveys

Many countries use household methods for their national food consumption surveys. Sampling design must be carefully planned so as to obtain a representative sample of the nation, accounting for influences of socio-economic status, region, season, and weekends.

Every ten years the U.S. conducts nationwide household food consumption surveys using the list-recall method for a period of seven days. Surveyors collect information on socio-economic status, shopping practices, number of meals and snacks consumed outside of the home, and food-assistance program participation. Surveyors also collect information on food intake of individual household members using a 24-hour dietary recall, followed by two days of food records. Participants are asked questions about eating patterns, use of dietary supplements, weight, height, and general health status.