EAT FOR HEALTH Australian Dietary Guidelines

EAT FOR HEALTH – AusTRALiAn diETARy guidELinEs

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Guideline 1

The 2007 National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey found that 69% of Australian children were

likely to meet the physical activity guidelines on any given day.^12 Adolescent girls were less active than boys,

particularly in the older age groups. underweight and obese children tended to have lower physical activity

levels than children of a healthy weight.^12 Available state data were generally consistent with these findings.160-162

In 2007, Australian children aged 9–16 years spent more than 3.5 hours/day on average in sedentary behaviours such

as watching television, playing video or computer games and/or using computers more generally.^12 On any given day,

67% of children spent more than the recommended maximum of 120 minutes of recreational screen time.

Benefits of physical activity

Physical inactivity accounted for 6.6% of the burden of disease in Australia in 2003. Substantial population health

gains are possible when the community adopts more regular moderate physical activity.^10 Being physically active:

•   reduces the risk of all-cause mortality163,164

•   is an important factor in preventing and managing a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke,

hypertension, type 2 diabetes and some cancers165,166

•   is associated with reduced risk of injury165,166

•   offers other health benefits, including building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and joints165,166

•   improves self-esteem, self-image and quality of life.165-168

The greatest health benefit is found in moving from no activity to low levels of activity, but even at higher levels of

activity, benefits accrue from being more active.163,164 Benefits have been described for all age groups and physically

active children are more likely to remain physically active throughout adolescence and into adulthood.169,170

1.2 The evidence for ‘achieve and maintain a healthy weight’

There is convincing and increasing evidence in a range of areas to justify the recommendation to achieve and

maintain a healthy weight, including:

•   the effectiveness of combined interventions in primary and secondary prevention of overweight and obesity

•   the association between particular foods and risk of excess weight gain

•   the protective effect of other foods in reducing risk of excess weight gain

•   the role of a range of socioenvironmental factors in development of overweight and obesity.

Table 1.1: Evidence statements on ‘achieve and maintain a healthy weight’

Evidence statement Grade

Compared to infants who are formula fed, being breastfed is associated with reduced risk of becoming obese in childhood,

adolescence, and early adulthood.

A

Increased birth weight, especially above 4,000g, is associated with increased risk of overweight or obesity in childhood,

adolescence, and later in life.

A

Excess weight gain relative to height during childhood is associated with an increased risk of overweight later in life. A

Parental overweight or obesity is associated with increased risk of child overweight or obesity. The risk is greater when both

rather than one parent is overweight or obese. A

Behavioural interventions including diet and exercise reduce the risk of overweight or obesity in overweight children. These

interventions are more effective when they are family-based. A

Lifestyle interventions combining diet and physical activity interventions are associated with reduced risk of developing type 2

diabetes in adults. B

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of weight gain in adults and children. B

Consumption of three to five serves per day of cereal foods (mainly wholegrain) is associated with a reduced risk of weight gain. B