Diet and Nutrition in Australia

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining health and preventing disease. However, many Australians struggle to meet dietary guidelines, leading to significant health impacts. The following insights are based on the 2022 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).?

Fruit and Vegetable Intake:

In 2022, 36% of children and adolescents aged 2-17 and 56% of adults aged 18 and over did not meet the recommended daily serves of fruit. This proportion was higher among adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas (62%) compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas (54%). Fruit consumption was consistent across different remoteness areas. Notably, the proportion of adults failing to meet the fruit intake recommendations increased from 49% in 2017-18 to 56% in 2022.

Regarding vegetables, 96% of children and adolescents aged 2-17 and 94% of adults aged 18 and over did not meet the recommended daily serves. This issue was more pronounced in adults living in the lowest socioeconomic areas (96%) compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas (94%). Similar to fruit intake, vegetable consumption was consistent across remoteness areas and remained stable since 2007-08.

Intake of Grains, Meat, and Dairy:

In 2011-12, Australians generally did not meet the recommended serves of grains, meat and alternatives, and dairy products and alternatives. From 2018-19 to 2022-23, the number of serves available per person from food purchased (apparent consumption) remained similar for lean meats and alternatives but decreased for vegetables, fruit, grains and cereals, and dairy and alternatives.

Intake of Discretionary Foods:

In 2011-12, discretionary foods accounted for 29-41% of energy intake in children and adolescents aged 2-18 and 31-37% in adults. From 2018-19 to 2022-23, available dietary energy per person from foods purchased increased for discretionary foods such as potato crisps and chocolate, and convenience meals. In 2022-23, available dietary energy from sugar, saturated fat, and sodium in foods purchased were all above the average recommended nutrient requirements.

Health Impacts of Dietary Risks:

In 2018, dietary risk factors were the third leading preventable cause of ill health and premature deaths in Australia, contributing to 50% of the burden of coronary heart disease, 26% of bowel cancer, 26% of type 2 diabetes, and 26% of stroke . Males experienced a greater amount of disease burden due to dietary risk factors than females.

Recommended Daily Serves of the Five Food Groups:

Table 1: Recommended Serves per Day for Males by Age Group (Years)

1. The recommendation is to consume mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties.
2. Examples of meat and alternatives include lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, and legumes/beans.

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Table 2: Recommended Serves per Day for Females by Age Group (Years)Notes:

1. The recommendation is to consume mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties.
2. Examples of meat and alternatives include lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, and legumes/beans.

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Strategies to Improve the Consumption of a Healthy Diet:

Australia has implemented strategies such as the National Preventive Health Strategy (NPHS) and the National Obesity Strategy to address these issues. These strategies aim to increase vegetable and fruit consumption while reducing the intake of discretionary foods, sugar, and sodium. Monitoring progress against set targets is crucial for promoting healthier eating habits among Australians. The goal is to increase vegetable consumption to an average of 5 serves per day and fruit consumption to 2 serves per day by 2030, along with reducing discretionary food energy intake to less than 20%.

?For more insight, please see

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/food-nutrition/diet?

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