Adults living with children eat more saturated fat than those not living with children, and the extra fat adds up to the equivalent of a frozen pepperoni pizza a week, according to an American study.

A research team from the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan Health System looked at the eating habits of 6,600 adults in the United States, including those living with and without children.

Popcorn is a healthier choice than high-fat potato chips.
(CBC)

Those living with children ate an average of 4.9 more grams of fat, including 1.7 more grams of saturated fat, a day than those in childless households, the researchers said in the Jan. 4 online issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Adults with children in the home ate more prepackaged foods and convenient foods that are often loaded with fat, such as ice cream and salty snacks.

"An important implication of the study is that healthy changes in eating need to focus on the entire household, not just individuals," said Dr. Helena Laroche of the University of Iowa, the study's lead author.

"Health care professionals must also help families find ways to fit healthy foods into their busy lifestyles."

In the study, nutritionists asked participants detailed questions about what  they ate in the previous 24 hours and how often they ate high-fat foods.

More research is needed to understand why adults with children at home eat more fat, and if there were differences based on the age of the children, the researchers said.

Laroche's healthy eating tips include:

• Choose popcorn or low-salt pretzels over high-fat potato chips.
• Children age two or older can be given lower fat milk instead of whole milk.
• Avoid cooking in butter, lard or solid stick margarine to decrease your intake of saturated fats; try baking or cooking in olive oil.
• Limit the amount of fast food and pizza you eat to once a week or less. If this is not possible, look for lower-fat items on the menu and limit the amount that you eat.

The researchers did not look at Canadians' eating habits. According to a Canadian report on snacking trends released in the fall, fruit and yogurt are among the top snack choices in this country.