U.S. Teen Fruit Consumption Falls to Two‑Thirds, Federal Report Finds

A new federal report released Tuesday reveals that 66.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 ate any fruit on a given day between August 2021 and August 2023, a marked drop from 91.8% of children aged 2 to 5.

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) analysis, part of the Health E‑Stat series, draws on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). It provides national estimates only and cannot break down results by state or community.

The decline follows a consistent age gradient: 91.8% of preschoolers, 83.3% of children aged 6‑11, and 66.2% of teens reported fruit consumption on a single day. The trend is statistically significant, and each fruit category mirrors the pattern. Citrus, melons, or berries were eaten by 53.9% of preschoolers but only 25.3% of teens; other whole fruit fell from 71.4% to 46.6%; and 100% fruit juice dropped from 56.9% to 35.3%.

In contrast, vegetable intake remained stable across age groups, with 91.2% of children and teens consuming vegetables on a given day. However, consumption of dark green vegetables rose with age, from 19.8% of young children to 27.3% of teens, still leaving fewer than three in ten teens meeting this recommendation.

The report notes that the teen years are a critical period when young people gain more autonomy over their diets. Fruits provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support growth and development, and a habit of eating fruit in early childhood often does not persist into adolescence without deliberate effort at home.

Comparisons with earlier NCHS data show similar teen fruit consumption rates: 66.3% in 2009‑2010 and 64.3% in 2015‑2018. The latest survey cycle introduced telephone‑based dietary recalls three to seven days after the in‑person exam, which may affect comparability.

While the new data do not break results by family income, previous research indicated that fruit intake increased with household income, suggesting cost and access may still play roles. The report does not examine weight, disease, or other health outcomes, and it measures only whether any fruit was eaten during a 24‑hour period, not total quantity.

Experts, including Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University, warn that inadequate fruit consumption can limit children’s energy, metabolism, learning, and mood.

Parents can encourage fruit intake by keeping washed whole fruit visible, packing it for school or activities, and choosing frozen or canned fruit without added sugar. Whole fruit should be preferred over juice, as it retains fiber. For families on tight budgets, federal school meal programs include fruit, and local food assistance offices can provide support.

The findings underscore the need for steady habits at home during the transition from elementary to high school, when fruit consumption most often declines.

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