Using data collected as part of the most recent National
Nutrition Survey (2011-12) the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has
published a comprehensive comparison of Australians usual food intakes and the
Australian Dietary Guidelines, as well as an analysis of the source of added
sugars in Australians diets.
Consumption of Food
Groups from the Australian Dietary Guidelines
On the 12 May the ABS published the first ever comparison
of the National Nutrition Survey with the Australian Dietary Guidelines(1).
The majority of Australians fell short of their grain
food serve recommendations, consuming on average 4.5 serves of grain foods per
day, with 18.3% coming from nutrient poor discretionary choices (i.e. cakes,
muffins, pizza and pies). Of particular concern is that only 8.5% of women aged
19-30 years met the recommended number of serves of core grain foods a day,
which means that women in this age group are not eating enough whole grain and
high fibre grain foods for good health and nutrition.
The data also shows that only 34% of grain food
consumption was from whole grain or high fibre grain foods. No age group met
the recommendation for two thirds of grains as whole grain or high fibre grain
foods. These results are concerning as the scientific evidence shows that
people who eat at least three serves a day of whole grain and high fibre grain
foods are at a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some
cancers, as well as being less likely to gain weight(2).
With all the messages in the media about what constitutes a
healthy diet, people may be confused about grains, which could be contributing
to intakes falling short of recommendations. What is even more concerning is
that the GLNC Consumption and Attitudinal Study(3) shows that between 2011
and 2014 Australians reduced their core grain food intakes by approximately 30%,
based on belief that these foods do not contribute important nutrition or
health benefits. In contrast to this misconception, the National Nutrition
Survey demonstrated that grain foods are the leading contributors of key essential
nutrients in the Australian diet including fibre, B vitamins, iron, magnesium
and iodine(4).
GLNC is concerned that Australians are not meeting the recommendations
for a balanced diet. Australians should be encouraged to choose core grain
foods over discretionary options, with a preference for whole grain and high
fibre grain foods most of the time.
Consumption of Added
Sugars
On the 27 April the ABS published their first
ever an analysis of the intakes of added sugar in the Australian diet(5). With all the attention
around added sugar in the media of late, this analysis adds a weight of
evidence to the discussion.
An estimated one in two Australians exceeding the World
Health Organisation’s recommendation that free sugars contribute to less than
10% total energy intake(5). The largest source of
free sugars in the Australian diet comes from discretionary (or ‘treat’) foods
and drinks (81%), such as cakes, muffins, confectionery, sweetened drinks. Core
grain foods (breakfast cereals, breads, pasta, other cereal grains) were shown to only contribute a small percentage of the total
proportion of free sugars (3.4%), with breakfast cereals only contributing 3%,
fruit/nut/seed bars 0.1% and muesli or cereal style bars 0.8%.
Australians should not cut down on nutrient-rich core foods,
which may contain naturally occurring sugars or low levels of added sugars.
These core foods are an important part of a balanced diet that provides
nutrients essential to health and wellbeing. Instead, people should focus on
reducing their intake of discretionary foods and drinks, which is likely the
most effective way to reduce intake of added sugars.
Note: Free sugars
include sugars added during food and beverage processing and preparation, as well as those naturally present in honey, dried fruit and fruit juice.
For more information: http://www.abs.gov.au/australianhealthsurvey
References
1. ABS. 2011-2012 Australian Health
Survey: Consumption of food groups from the Australian Dietary Guidelines,
2011–12 — Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016.
2. NHMRC. Australian Dietary Guidelines Providing the
scientific evidence for healthier Australian diets. 2013 Accessed online January
2014.
3. GLNC. 2014 Australian Grains and Legumes Consumption and
Attitudinal Report. Unpublished: 2014.
4. ABS. National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15.
Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2014-15.
5. ABS. Australian Health Survey: Consumption of added
sugars, 2011-12 Australian Bureau of
Statistics, 2016.
