EAT FOR HEALTH Australian Dietary Guidelines

Achieve And mAintAin A heAlthy weight

17

guideline 1

Figure 1.3: Mean consumption of selected food groups by boys aged 10–15 years: 1985 and 1995

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

1985

1995

fats and oils

confectionery

sugar-based

legumes

vegetables

fruit

cereal-based

Cereals

Non alcohol

beverages

(exc. water)

grams

Source: Adapted from Cook et al (2001).^152

Energy expenditure

total daily energy expenditure includes resting energy expenditure (basal metabolic rate plus necessary tissue

repair and the thermic effect of food), and energy expended in physical activity.^8 Resting energy expenditure makes

up 60–80% of total energy expenditure, and is mainly related to lean body mass.^8 Active energy expenditure, which

accounts for up to 20–40% of total energy expenditure, depends on both the amount of physical activity and the

body mass to be moved during the process. Active energy expenditure is the only aspect of energy expenditure

that is under conscious control through physical activity.8,154

Resting energy expenditure, active energy expenditure and total energy expenditure are all substantially increased

in obesity,^155 contradicting the view that obesity is due to ‘low metabolism’ and is maintained despite a low level

of food intake.^135 however, energy expenditure per kilogram of body mass does decline with increasing Bmi, even

at the same levels of physical activity.^154

1.1.4 Physical activity

Physical activity includes both structured activities such as sport or organised recreation, and unstructured activities

such as incidental daily activities at work or home (e.g. gardening or walking/cycling for leisure or transport).^156

For the current Australian recommendations for physical activity, see Appendix i.

Physical activity levels of specific groups

the proportion of Australian adults reporting recommended levels of physical activity declined from 62% in1997 to

57% in 1999.^157 while the different methodologies do not allow comparison, the 2007–08 national health Survey

showed that only 37% of adults exercised sufficiently to obtain benefits to their health.^24 State-based surveys

suggest that since around 2004, there have been small increases in physical activity participation at levels that

provide health benefits.106,158,159

new data to enable monitoring and reporting of adults’ physical activity against national physical activity guidelines

and recommendations will be collected in the 2011–13 Australian health Survey, with detailed results available

from may 2013.