About two-thirds of U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 19 ate any fruit on a given day, compared with more than 9 in 10 children ages 2 to 5, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the CDC, released Tuesday.
The report found that 66.2% of teens ate fruit on a given day, compared with 83.3% of children ages 6 to 11 and 91.8% of preschoolers. Across all children and teens, 77% ate fruit and 91.2% ate some type of vegetable.
For parents, the numbers point to a familiar shift. As children gain independence, pack their own snacks, buy lunch, and eat more meals away from home, fruit may show up less often. The data were collected from August 2021 to August 2023, so they reflect recent eating patterns rather than this year's.
Fruit Fades with Age, Vegetables Hold Steady
NCHS researchers led by Nae Y. Won based the report on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey that includes detailed 24-hour dietary recalls. The analysis covered 1,765 children and teens surveyed between August 2021 and August 2023.
Every fruit type became less common with age. Citrus, melons, and berries were eaten by 53.9% of preschoolers but only 25.3% of teens. Other whole fruit dropped from 71.4% to 46.6%, and 100% fruit juice fell from 56.9% to 35.3%.
Vegetables told a different story. The share eating any vegetable did not change significantly by age and stayed near 91%. Dark green vegetables became more common with age, rising from 19.8% of preschoolers to 27.3% of teens, though that still means most teens skipped them on a given day.
The report concluded that teens were the least likely to eat any fruit, while preschoolers were the least likely to eat dark green vegetables.
It also notes that fruits and vegetables supply vitamins, minerals, and fiber that children and teens need for growth and development. Because different fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients, the report says eating a variety of colorful, nutrient-dense produce is important, citing the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Limits Behind the Snapshot
These figures compare different age groups at one point in time. They do not follow the same children as they grow, so the report does not show that individual children eat less fruit as they age, only that older age groups ate fruit less often during the survey period.
The measure is also simple. It shows whether a child ate any fruit on the recall day, not how much or whether the child met recommended amounts. A small glass of juice counts the same as a full serving of berries.
Each age group included several hundred children, so the estimates carry some uncertainty. For teens, the 95% confidence interval for eating any fruit ran from 61.3% to 71.1%.
The report acknowledges that dietary recall can involve misreporting and memory errors, though it is considered reliable for estimating intake across a population. In this survey cycle, the first-day recall was collected by telephone rather than in person, a change from earlier cycles. The researchers also built a custom food-group file because the standard federal file for this period was not yet available.
An earlier NCHS data brief found that 75.3% of children and teens ate fruit on a given day in 2015 to 2018. The new report does not test whether the change to 77% is meaningful, so it should not be read as a trend.
The report provides national estimates only and does not break results down by state, city, income, or race and ethnicity.
Simple Moves for Busy Households
Teens are the group to watch. Families can keep washed, ready-to-eat fruit visible on the counter or at eye level in the refrigerator, and pack portable options such as apples, bananas, clementines, or grapes in backpacks and sports bags.
Frozen fruit and canned fruit packed in water or its own juice can cost less than fresh fruit and last longer. Whole fruit offers fiber that juice lacks, so offering whole fruit instead of juice is a practical swap.
Teens often respond to choice. Letting them pick fruit at the store, blend smoothies, or add berries to cereal or yogurt can make fruit part of their routine rather than a rule.
Schools can help, too. Parents can ask what fruit is offered at breakfast and lunch and whether students can save it for later. Coaches and after-school programs can stock fruit for practice snacks.
For younger children, the goal is keeping good habits going. Pediatricians can help families with concerns about picky eating, weight, or growth. The CDC's guidance on early nutrition offers age-based tips.
Cost can be a barrier, but help exists. Families may qualify for SNAP, WIC for young children, and free or reduced-price school meals, which include fruit. School nutrition offices and local health departments can explain eligibility.
A change in eating habits should prompt a conversation with a clinician if it comes with weight loss, fatigue, or signs of disordered eating, which often emerge in the teen years.
NCHS publishes updated survey results as new data are processed. MedicalDaily will report future data on children's diets as they are released.
Key Questions Answered
What did the CDC report find? About 66% of teens ate fruit on a given day, compared with 83% of children ages 6 to 11 and 92% of children ages 2 to 5.
Do kids eat vegetables? About 91% of children and teens ate some vegetables on a given day, and that share did not change significantly by age.
Does this mean children eat less fruit as they grow up? The data compare age groups at one point in time and do not track the same children, so they show a pattern rather than individual change.
What years do the data cover? August 2021 to August 2023.
Is fruit juice counted? Yes. The report tracked 100% fruit juice as its own category, and it also declined with age.
How can parents help teens eat more fruit? Keep ready-to-eat fruit visible, pack portable options, and involve teens in choosing fruit.
Where can families get help affording produce? Programs such as SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs may help eligible families.
