A Treasure Trove for Data Geeks Everywhere!
Bottled water consumption exceeded that of coffee for the first time in 2005, as the average American drank 25.4 gallons of water compared to 24.2 gallons of coffee. Ten years earlier the numbers were 11.6 and 20.2 gallons respectively. Remember, these are just averages, as I can attest since my coffee to water ratio is drastically skewed in the other direction. Alcohol consumption (driven primarily by beer drinkers) exceeds that of coffee and trails bottled water by less than half a gallon.
While our national body mass index keeps rising along with the number of weight loss books, programs, pills and television shows, it appears, to some degree, that the nation is getting the message about healthier eating and exercise. The last 10 years has brought a 25% increase in per capita chicken consumption (60.4 pounds) and a 2 percent decrease in that of beef (62.4 pounds). Pork, the other white meat, has not fared as well as chicken, or even beef, falling by 4 percent (46.5 pounds). Whole milk consumption has declined by 20 percent, while we are eating 40 percent more yogurt. We are eating 17 percent less frozen dairy products – still 24 pounds a year – but we can't seem to get enough of cheese, especially mozzarella! Overall cheese consumption has grown by 17 percent in the last 10 years to 31.4 pounds per person, with mozzarella accounting for 10.2 pounds. Now I know why there is a pizza shop on almost every corner.
Few of us were smoking cigarettes in 2005 than ten years earlier – 20.8 vs. 24.6 percent. Males out smoked females by five percentage points – 23.4 vs. 18.3 percent. Michigan exceeded the national average with 22.1 percent of our residents smoking, in spite of our high tobacco tax. While cigarette smoking is down, I am not sure what effect the proliferation of cigar bars is having. Finally, self-reporting (which, as all of us know, can be somewhat biased) indicates that just under half the adult population is getting the recommended amount of daily exercise, with men outdoing women 49.9 to 47 percent.
You are probably tired of numbers by now, but you may, at least, be curious as to their source. Well, the data geek in me is thrilled to announce that the latest version of the Statistical Abstract of the United States was released last week. While not as “edge of your seat” exciting as the Farmers' Almanac, the Abstract contains almost 1,400 data tables arranged in 30 sections, covering just about any topic you might want.
While you can certainly purchase the Abstract from the federal government, the most convenient way to browse is to go to the Census Bureau's website where you will find the entire volume online. Please take a look and let me know some of your favorite statistics.
Kurt Metzger
Research Director
United Way for Southeastern Michigan Community Investment and Partnerships
While our national body mass index keeps rising along with the number of weight loss books, programs, pills and television shows, it appears, to some degree, that the nation is getting the message about healthier eating and exercise. The last 10 years has brought a 25% increase in per capita chicken consumption (60.4 pounds) and a 2 percent decrease in that of beef (62.4 pounds). Pork, the other white meat, has not fared as well as chicken, or even beef, falling by 4 percent (46.5 pounds). Whole milk consumption has declined by 20 percent, while we are eating 40 percent more yogurt. We are eating 17 percent less frozen dairy products – still 24 pounds a year – but we can't seem to get enough of cheese, especially mozzarella! Overall cheese consumption has grown by 17 percent in the last 10 years to 31.4 pounds per person, with mozzarella accounting for 10.2 pounds. Now I know why there is a pizza shop on almost every corner.
Few of us were smoking cigarettes in 2005 than ten years earlier – 20.8 vs. 24.6 percent. Males out smoked females by five percentage points – 23.4 vs. 18.3 percent. Michigan exceeded the national average with 22.1 percent of our residents smoking, in spite of our high tobacco tax. While cigarette smoking is down, I am not sure what effect the proliferation of cigar bars is having. Finally, self-reporting (which, as all of us know, can be somewhat biased) indicates that just under half the adult population is getting the recommended amount of daily exercise, with men outdoing women 49.9 to 47 percent.
You are probably tired of numbers by now, but you may, at least, be curious as to their source. Well, the data geek in me is thrilled to announce that the latest version of the Statistical Abstract of the United States was released last week. While not as “edge of your seat” exciting as the Farmers' Almanac, the Abstract contains almost 1,400 data tables arranged in 30 sections, covering just about any topic you might want.
While you can certainly purchase the Abstract from the federal government, the most convenient way to browse is to go to the Census Bureau's website where you will find the entire volume online. Please take a look and let me know some of your favorite statistics.
Kurt Metzger
Research Director
United Way for Southeastern Michigan Community Investment and Partnerships
Labels: Employee Voices, Research
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