US
U.S. calorie consumption per person is up 20 per cent since the early 1970s to the world's highest - a third above the global average. Although the U.S. menu reflects the variety of typical industrialised countries, it is lower than the industrialised country average in cereals and higher in meats, sugar and sweeteners and dairy products.
Average daily calories per person: 3,654Sahara
In this generally poor region where tens of millions are chronically undernourished, daily per capita consumption was 2,176 calories in 1995-97, 20 per cent below the global average. Cereals and roots still provide 70 per cent of calories. More costly foods that would add variety and nutrition are consumed at some of the world's lowest rates.
Average daily calories per person: 2,176 Latin nations
Among major developing regions, Latin America shows the least overall dependence on cereals and the greatest apparent dietary diversity. Since the early 1970s, consumption of cereals and starchy roots and pulses has decreased and diets now include more meat and poultry, sugar and sweeteners, dairy products and vegetable oils.
Average daily calories per person: 2,791 Europe
Despite a taste for sausages and cheeses, Europeans consume fewer calories than Americans, and diets more closely mirror industrialised country averages. Compared with the United States, cereal consumption is higher, though down since the 1970s - opposite the U.S. trend. Diets have less sugar, but nearly 7 per cent of calories come from animal fats, twice the U.S. level.
Average daily calories per person: 3,394-97.Asia
Rising incomes and farm production have altered diets and steadily shifted this region's calorie consumption. Although rice and other cereals still account for 60 per cent of calories, that's down from 67 per cent in the early 1970s. The role of starchy roots (such as cassava), tubers (such as potatoes) and pulses (such as beans), have been halved.
Average daily calories per person: 2,648 Africa
Oil revenues have helped North African countries such as Egypt, Libya and Algeria boost average calorie consumption by nearly 40 per cent since the early 1970s. Cereals remain the primary source of calories, but cereal consumption has dropped slightly, while the share of calories from most other food groups has increased.
Average daily calories per person: 3,187 Source for global diet information: Economic Research Service, USDA, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Agrostat database.
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