Americans eat more than ever. That may not be a revelation, but it is interesting to look at the numbers. In 1970, the average American ate a little more than 16 pounds of food a week. 
Flash forward to 2006, and you have the average intake at an extra two pounds a week. Imagine that: we are eating almost TWO POUNDS more food on a weekly basis!
There are also some interesting shifts in where we get our “poundage.” Less milk, but more chicken. Believe it or not, less red meat and more vegetables, but still not the recommended amount. Check out the article at The New York Times piece which gives the comparison in a nice graphic layout.