1 in 5 U.S. kids eats Pizza everyday

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

On any given day, at least 20 percent of American children and adolescents eat this one food, according to a new study in Pediatrics. It’s usually eaten at lunch or dinner, but you can make a breakfast version. And its many variations include: deep dish, stuffed, and rolled. Can you guess what it is?

If you guessed pizza, you’d be right! I know it’s not too surprising given that it’s a popular choice for school lunch or a quick dinner option. However, in all the years that I have practiced as a pediatric dietitian, I’ve never given too much thought to pizza and just how much pizza American children eat.

In the study, researchers also found that on days when pizza was consumed, it made up about one quarter of total calorie intake. And while pizza consumption overall is slightly down, children and adolescents who were eating pizza had higher amounts of excessive calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Consistent with fast food, an increased consumption of pizza translates to a poorer diet quality.

The great moments of 21st century America.