EAT FOR HEALTH – AusTRALiAn diETARy guidELinEs
8
Challenges for adoption of the Guidelines
Dietary patterns consistent with the Guidelines
Adherence to dietary recommendations in Australia is poor.^44 Most children’s intake of vegetables, fruit, grain
(cereal) foods and milk, yoghurt and cheese products and alternatives is below recommended levels, while their
intake of saturated fat, sugar and salt exceeds recommendations.^12 Analysis of Australia’s 1995 National Nutrition
Survey^45 found that energy-dense, nutrient-poor ‘extra foods’^46 contributed 41% of the total daily energy intake of
2–18 year olds.^47
The most recent dietary data available for Australian adults (collected in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey)
also showed a poor dietary pattern, with inadequate intake of vegetables, fruit, wholegrain cereals and milk,
yoghurt and cheese products and alternatives, and higher than recommended proportions of fat intake derived
from saturated fat.45,48 More than 35% of daily energy intake was derived from energy-dense nutrient-poor ‘
extra foods’.^47
Barriers to dietary patterns consistent with the Guidelines
Influences on dietary choices throughout life are complex, ranging from individual, physical and social factors
through to societal and environmental factors.49-87
Possible barriers to compliance with recommendations may include the food environment (including availability
and affordability), poor communication of advice, low levels of understanding of the information, low levels of food
literacy and high levels of food insecurity (this may include the inability to access adequate amounts of nutritious,
culturally acceptable foods), conflicting messages (such as advertising and promotion of energy-dense nutrient-
poor foods and drinks), and particular dietary preferences.88,89
There appear to be complex relationships between dietary patterns established in childhood and dietary quality
over time. Studies suggest that frequency of consuming takeaway food increases with age and is associated
with higher intakes of energy, total fat, saturated fat and sodium,75-77,90 while frequency of breakfast consumption
decreases with age and skipping breakfast is associated with reduced intake of calcium and dietary fibre.^91
There is some evidence that family meal patterns during adolescence predict diet quality and meal patterns
during early young adulthood.^92 Childhood smoking is also associated with poor dietary habits,78,83 as is a
stressful family life.86,87
Improved understanding of what Australians are eating will assist the implementation and uptake of the
Guidelines, which provide the evidence for what Australians should be eating. Much of our current knowledge of
adult Australian dietary patterns comes from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey; however the 2011–13 Australian
Health Survey^93 will provide a better understanding of the current diet and nutrition of Australians. This survey
is collecting data on food and nutrient intake, dietary behaviours and supplement usage. Detailed data from the
survey will be released from May 2013 for the general population and from June 2014 for the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander population.
Although the key messages of the Guidelines may not have changed significantly since the 2003 edition of the
dietary guidelines, the evidence base supporting them has strengthened considerably. The challenge now is to
ensure that these Guidelines – particularly the renewed emphasis on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight –
are strongly promoted within a context that encourages and supports more nutritious food choices, dietary
patterns and healthy lifestyles within the community.
Dietary choices and the environment
The food we eat has an impact on our personal health. The food system (including the production, processing,
distribution and consumption of food and drinks) also has broader implications for the health of the environment
and hence the ability of individuals to continue to enjoy a healthy diet. Numerous Australian Government agencies
have responsibilities that cross all of these areas, and a range of activities is underway to monitor, better
understand and improve the issues.
The concept of sustainable dietary patterns is not straightforward, as there are many complex interactions as food
is grown, transported, sold, prepared, consumed and the remnants disposed. Considering a specifically Australian
context is also important, as some food production and subsequent handling differs considerably to processes in
North America and Europe, where much of the literature originates.