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Nutrition report card: Australians - what we eat and drink

Australians need to eat lots more fruit, vegetables, cereals, fish and milk products and eat a lot less pastries, sticky buns, sweet biscuits and fatty fast foods, according to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.

MW005/99
28 January 1999

Responding to the report, National Nutrition Survey - Foods Eaten - Australia 1995, part of a major National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Federal Health and Aged Care Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge said Australians were moving towards eating a more balanced and varied diet, with nutrition from most of the major food groups being represented in their diet.

"Senior nutritionists have given Australians an overall "B" grading for their attention to good nutrition but they caution that there is still room for improvement," he said.

The Report is based on the biggest and most comprehensive nutrition survey ever held in Australia and gives an invaluable insight into what Australians actually eat and drink providing vital information about how people can improve their diets and their health.

"Drawn from a snapshot of 14,000 Australians, this report shows that we're rating a 9B' for our eating habits, but we still have to improve in a few areas before we'll score an overall 9A'," Dr Wooldridge said.

"We need to eat more breads, cereals and cereal products, another serve of fruit each day, several more serves of vegetables, another serve of milk and milk products and to include fish two or three times a week.

"The good news that the report singles out is our solid consumption of foods including meat products, the fact that we are drinking good amounts of water and do not consume too much added fats and oils with our foods.

"But perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the report is that it shows some groups of Australians are already meeting the challenge of healthy eating and drinking and so leading by example.

"Australians born in East Asia for example, got an A plus from our nutritionists for their excellent daily average intake of cereal and cereal products.

"Adults in rural and remote areas scored higher than other groups because they were reported eating half a serve more of their vegetables daily than their metropolitan counterparts.

"Similarly, people living in the most disadvantaged socio-economic areas achieved a slightly higher intake of vegetables than others."

Dr Wooldridge said the message about good diet and good health is as simple as the food and drink we buy at our supermarkets or stores.

"It is clear from the Report that Australians fill up our shopping trolleys with some favourite foods such as potatoes, breads and bread rolls, dairy milk, breakfast cereals, apples, carrots, cabbage, meat, beer and sweet biscuits and fatty fast foods.

"Some of these are very nutritious and good for us - others are not so nutritious and don't help make us healthier nor help prevent key diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and many cancers.

"Similarly a well-balanced diet high in folate rich foods for women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy can help prevent the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the unborn.

"This Report gives us grounds for real hope that the message about the role of a nutritious diet plays in preventing disease and promoting good health is being received by Australians.

"The Report has the undoubted potential to help us all, in particular our nutritionists, the food industry and health professionals, to assess the weak spots in our diet and identify how to make better choices so that perhaps, in future, the Australian population will do even better on our nutrition Report Card," Dr Wooldridge said.

SEE ATTACHMENTS A AND B.

NUTRITIONISTS REPORT CARD

" The mean daily food intake was highest for milk products and dishes, followed by: vegetables; cereals and cereal products; meat and poultry; fruits; and cereal-based products and dishes"

It is a pleasure to see that Australians are moving towards eating a balanced and varied diet, with nutrition from most of the major food groups being represented in their diet.

We would however like to see Australians eating more breads, cereals and cereal products, another serve of fruit each day, several more serves of vegetables, another serve of milk and milk products and to include fish two or three times a week.

It would also be advisable for Australians to reduce their average daily intake of some cereal-based products such as sweet biscuits, fatty fast foods and pastries.

Overall Australia, keep improving. We hope to see you reaping the benefits of good nutrition and sound eating habits in the years ahead.

SUBJECT	GRADE
Cereals and cereal products These include regular breads and rolls; breakfast cereals plain and mixed; fancy breads/ muffins/ crumpets; pasta and pasta products/ rice and rice products/ hot breakfast cereals	A minus

COMMENT

"Over 90% of Australians in almost every age group reported consuming something from cereals and cereal products"

Well done Australians, most of you are eating foods from this major food group - but you need to eat at least another serve a day to bring your intake up to a minimum of 4-5 serves a day of cereals and cereal products for the average Australian adult.

• An A plus to those Australians born in East Asia who have an excellent daily intake of cereals and cereal products.
• People living in rural/ remote areas have been given a B score because they could really boost their daily intake - by at least 1 ½ to 2 serves a day.
• Adolescents and young adults across the board score a B plus because they need to pay closer attention to this food group and make sure they are getting at least 4-6 serves a day.
• B plus to adults living in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas who could increase their intake of this food group by at least ½ a serve, as a very cost effective and healthy way to improve their average daily nutrition intake
• B plus to Tasmanians who could increase their intake of cereals and cereal products by at least one serve each day to at least match ACT residents who had the highest average intake from this food group.

"More than 65% of people of all ages are cereal-based products and dishes … "

Sweet biscuits were the most popular product in this food group which is high in hidden fats and includes items such as pastries, pizzas and fatty fast foods.

It is recommended that Australians reduce their daily intake of foods from this group, eating them only occasionally as a treat. At the moment they are making up too significant a component of the average daily diet.

In particular, adults over 19 years need to cut their intake in half; they are having nearly four serves a day, when one or two is enough.

• C minus to residents of South Australia and Victoria who reported eating the most foods from this group in their average daily diet. They need to reassess their consumption of pastries and fattier fast foods.
• Special attention needs to be paid to reducing intake in this food group by people living in metropolitan Australia who have a higher average daily intake compared to those in rural/remote areas.
• C plus to Australians born in East Asia who recorded the lowest mean intake of all foods in this group.

"The proportion of people who reported eating fruits declined from 77% of 2-3 year olds to a low of 37% for the 19-24 year age group but increased to 73% of those aged 65 years and over."

Australian adults need to double their intake of fruit products and dishes. At the moment they are barely achieving one of the minimum two serves a day from this major food group which is recommended for good nutrition.

• All adults, but in particular those aged 19 to 24 years, need to boost their average daily fruit intake, especially males who are eating even less fruit than their female counterparts.
• C grade for effort to people aged 65 years and over, but it would be good to see you also getting that extra serve of fruit each day to make your daily minimum at least two serves.
• Australians born in Europe also score a C for effort, but again need to make sure they make up that minimum two serves of fruit a day.
• Queenslanders also get a C grade for effort, for being the only ones to achieve a one serve a day average, however you will need to try harder to boost that intake to at least two serves daily.

"More than 70% of the Australian population had eaten vegetables the day before interview..."

Adult Australians need to nearly double their current average daily intake of vegetable products and dishes to a minimum of 5 serves a day by eating at least 1 ½ to 2 serves more.

Australians are averaging one potato a day from this major food group, but really need to not only be increasing the quantity but also eating a wide variety such as vegetables of different colours; leafy greens, orange, yellow etc, to really improve their nutritional intake from this important group.

• Adults in rural/remote areas score a C plus because they are eating half a serve more of vegetables daily than their metropolitan counterparts, but they still need to work to achieve that minimum 5 serves a day.
• People living in the most disadvantaged socio-economic areas Achieved a slightly higher intake from this food group than others.
• Tasmanians also had a slightly higher intake daily from the Vegetable group, in particular potatoes, than their counterparts.

"The vast majority of Australians consumed milk products and dishes. The proportion consuming declined from 98% of children aged 2-3 years to 90% of adults aged 19-24 years and increased to 95% of persons aged 65 years and over." Well done Australians for including milk products and dishes in your average daily diet, however, adults should be having a minimum of two serves a day and you'll basically need to double your average daily serves to achieve this important nutritional goal.

• Adolescent females in particular, whose intake is lower than in Childhood, should be paying attention to their daily intake of milk products and dishes which is so important for growing adolescent bodies and for helping to prevent osteoporosis in later life.
• It is pleasing that 16 to 18 years old females are choosing to eat cheese - they achieve half a serve daily from cheese. For good nutrition however, they will need to increase their milk product intake to a minimum of two full serves a day.

"More Australians consumed muscle meats than any other type of meat, poultry or game."

"Adults aged 19-44 years and 65 years and over had slightly higher average intakes of muscle meat and sausages on weekends than weekdays."

Overall adult Australians are achieving at least the recommended 1 to 2 average daily serves from this major food group.

Indeed many Australians are inclined to eat too many serves from this whole meat, poultry and game products and dishes group and should avoid exceeding the daily maximum of 2 serves unless they lead a very active lifestyle. Certainly for average adults the need for foods from this group does not increase with age.

SUBJECT	GRADE
Fats and oils	A

COMMENT

"A high proportion of both males and female, consumed fats and oils. The proportion declined from 83% of those aged 2-3 years to 66% of 16-18 year olds, then gradually increased to 84% of persons aged 65 years and over."

Overall well done Australians for not having too high an intake of added fats and oils in your diets. On average Australians recorded about 3 teaspoons added fats and oils daily, which is not excessive.

However, given the level of hidden fats in foods, for example, the cereal-based products, which Australians are eating, it would certainly not be advisable to consume any more added fat in the average daily diet.

Tasmanians reported consuming slightly more than the other states / territories.

SUBJECT	GRADE
Non-alcoholic beverages	A

COMMENT

"Almost every Australian had consumed one or more non-alcoholic beverages. In all age groups, a higher proportion reported drinking mineral waters and water than any other type of non-alcoholic beverage."

"Mineral waters and water (mainly consumed as plain drinking water) contributed at least 40% to the mean daily intake of non-alcoholic beverages. For most age groups, plain drinking water provided about 90% of the total intake of mineral waters and water"

Australian adults have a very healthy approach to drinking non-alcoholic beverages and overall are consuming close to the recommended 2 litres a day, or 8 glasses a day, with close to half of this as mostly plain drinking water. Well done and keep up the good intake levels.

Queenslanders scored better than most by drinking over 2 litres of these beverages a day.

SUBJECT	GRADE
Alcoholic beverages	B

COMMENT

"Overall, about 42% of men and 24% of women reported consuming an alcoholic beverage. The proportion was highest in those aged 45-64 years at 49% for men and 29% for women."

"Based on mean intake, beer was the main alcoholic beverage for men of all ages and for women aged 16-24 years, while wine was the main alcoholic beverage for women aged 25 years and over."

"The mean intake of all alcoholic beverages, particularly beer, was much higher on weekends than weekdays."

A large proportion of the adult Australian population did not report consuming an alcoholic beverage. However roughly half the males reported consuming alcohol, and of these, many were drinking an average of nearly three standard drinks a day.

It is recommended that alcoholic beverages, in the same way as added fats and oils and cereal-based products like fatty fast foods, be consumed occasionally and in small amounts. It would certainly not be nutritionally sound or healthy for those Australians who do consume alcoholic beverages to increase their daily intake.

The NHMRC recommends for safe and responsible drinking that men consume not more than 40g of absolute alcohol per day, or 4 standard drinks, and for women, not more than 20g, or 2 standard drinks a day.

ATTACHMENT B.

GENERAL FINDINGS - Australians' top foods

Highest mean daily food intake was for milk products and dishes, followed by high intakes of vegetables, cereals and cereal products, meat and poultry, fruits and cereal-based products and dishes.

More than 65% of people of all ages ate cereal-based products and dishes, vegetables, meat and poultry, fats and oils, and at least 50% of people of most ages reported eating fruit products and dishes.

Over 90% of Australians in almost every age group reported consuming something from cereals and cereal products and slightly fewer reported consuming milk and milk products.

Australians were more likely to have consumed regular breads and rolls than any other type of cereal product.

Across all ages, regular breads and rolls provided about 40% of the mean daily intake of cereals and cereal products.

Breakfast cereals were also consumed by a large proportion of people of all ages.

Adults were more likely to have consumed breakfast cereals, pasta and rice on a weekday, than at the weekend, except for those adults aged 65 years and over.

The proportion of people who reported eating fruits declined from a high of 77% of 2-3 year olds to a low of 37% for the 19-24 year age group but increased to 73% of those aged 65 years and over.

Australians in all age groups were more likely to have eaten pome fruit (e.g. apples and pears) and tropical fruits (e.g. bananas and pineapple) than any other type of fruit.

In all age groups, pome fruit made the highest contribution to the average daily intake of fruit products and dishes for both males and females. Other important contributors were citrus, stone and tropical fruits.

More than 70% of the Australian population had eaten vegetables the day before interview. Potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable, with about 45-60% of the Australian population reporting that they had eaten potatoes.

At least one third of Australian adults reported eating carrots, leaf and stalk vegetables, tomatoes, other fruiting vegetables (e.g. pumpkin) or other vegetable combinations.

The median intake of cabbage, cauliflower and similar brassica vegetables by those who consumed, was the second highest median intake after potatoes.

Adults had a higher mean intake of vegetable products and dishes on weekdays compared to the weekend.

The vast majority of Australians consumed milk products and dishes. The proportion consuming declined from 98% of children aged 2-3 years to 90% of adults aged 19-24 years and increased to 95% of persons aged 65 years and over.

Australians were more likely to have consumed dairy milk than any other milk product. Dairy milk accounted for about 70% of the mean daily intake of milk products and dishes for persons of all ages.

Adults reported a higher mean intake of milk products and dishes on weekdays compared to weekends. An important contributor to this difference was dairy milk.

More Australians consumed muscle meats than any other type of meat, poultry or game. Adults aged 19-44 years and 65 years and over had slightly higher average intakes of muscle meat and sausages on weekends than weekdays.

A high proportion of Australians, both males and females, consumed fats and oils. The proportion declined from 83% of those aged 2-3 years to 66% of 16-18 year olds, then gradually increased to 84% of those aged 65 years and over.

Australians were much more likely to have consumed margarine than dairy fats in all age groups.

Almost every Australian had consumed one or more non-alcoholic beverages. In all age groups, a higher proportion reported drinking mineral waters and water than any other type of non-alcoholic beverage.

Mineral waters and water (mainly consumed as plain drinking water) contributed at least 40% to the mean daily intake of non-alcoholic beverages. For most age groups, plain drinking water provided about 90% of the total intake of mineral waters and water.

Adults aged 25 years and over were more likely to drink tea and coffee. On average, more coffee than tea was consumed by adults aged 19-44 years and more tea than coffee by adults aged 45 years and over.

Overall, about 42% of men and 24% of women reported consuming an alcoholic beverage. The proportion was highest in those aged 45-64 years at 49% for men and 29% for women.

Based on mean intake, beer was the main alcoholic beverage for men of all ages and for women aged 16-24 years, while wine was the main alcoholic beverage for women aged 25 years and over.

The mean intake of alcoholic beverages, particularly beer, was much higher on weekends than weekdays.

MALE vs FEMALE

On average, males in all age groups consumed larger amounts of foods and beverages than females, except that adolescent females and women generally had a higher mean daily intake of fruits than males of the same age.

Females were more likely to have eaten fruits than males in all age groups except for 2-3 year olds.

Adolescent males had the highest mean intake of milk products and milk while adolescent females' intake was lower than in childhood.

Males were more likely to have consumed breakfast cereals than females in most age groups.

The lowest proportion of milk products and dishes consumption was recorded for females aged 16-18 years, and a smaller proportion of females aged 16-18 years consumed dairy milk than any other age group of either sex (63%).

About 44% of both males and females aged 16-18 years had eaten cheese, a higher proportion than any other age group.

In most age groups, males were more likely to have consumed meat and poultry than females. Generally, males had a higher average intake of muscle meat than other types of meat. However, average intake of mixed beef or veal dishes (e.g. casseroles and crumbed beef) was higher than muscle meat for females in every age group up to 45 years.

Males between the ages of 12- 44 years were more likely to have consumed margarine than females in the same age group, whereas the reverse was true for dairy fats.

Males were more likely than females to have consumed alcoholic beverages in every age group. Men also had a much higher mean daily intake of alcoholic beverages than women.

AGE

The overall proportion of people who consumed vegetable products and dishes increased with age.

It was particularly evident that people aged 65 years and over were more likely to have consumed regular breads and rolls than any other type of cereal product.

73% of those aged 65 years and over reported eating fruits.

The mean daily intake of vegetables generally increased with age and was highest for people aged 45-64 years.

95% of persons aged 65 years and over consumed milk products and dishes.

Overall the proportion of the population who consumed meat, poultry and game products and dishes increased with age.

A higher proportion of children and adolescents had consumed frozen milk products than adults with the average intake being highest for 12-15 year olds.

People aged 2-15 years were more likely to drink fruit and vegetable juices. People aged 16-24 were more likely to drink soft drinks, flavoured mineral waters and electrolyte drinks, and fruit and vegetable juices.

Adults aged 25 years and over were more likely to drink tea and coffee. On average, more coffee than tea was consumed by adults aged 19-44 years and more tea than coffee by adults aged 45 years and over.

RURAL AND REMOTE

Adults living in rural centres and rural/remote areas had a higher mean intake of regular breads and rolls but a lower mean intake of pasta and rice than adults living in metropolitan areas.

Adults in metropolitan areas had a higher mean intake of cereal-based products than those in rural centres and rural/remote areas. This was mainly due to a higher mean intake of mixed dishes where cereal is the major ingredient.

The average intake of vegetables by adults was highest in rural/remote areas due to their greater intakes of potatoes, carrots, peas and beans, and other fruiting vegetables.

Adults in rural/remote areas were more likely to have consumed fats and oils, particularly margarine, than those in any other geographic region. Their average daily intake of dairy fats and margarine were also higher.

Adults living in rural/remote areas had the highest mean intake of beer compared to other geographic regions, reflecting a higher proportion of consumers with a high median intake.

MULTICULTURAL

Adults born in the East Asian region had the highest average intake of cereals and cereal products. This was due both to a high median intake of rice and rice products by consumers born in East Asia and a high proportion (72%) of adults born in East Asia consuming this food group.

Conversely, adults born in this region, on average, ate smaller amounts of breads and rolls and breakfast cereals than adults born in any other region.

Adults born in the East Asian region recorded the lowest mean intake of all foods in the cereal-based products and dishes group, apart from mixed dishes where cereal is the major ingredient. Their high mean intake of these mixed dishes was due to savoury rice-based dishes.

Adults born in Europe were more likely to have eaten fruit products and dishes than adults born elsewhere. They had the highest average intake of most fruits, and their intake of pome fruits was nearly twice that of adults born in all other regions.

Adults born in the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand had the highest mean intake of milk products and dishes (particularly dairy milk) whereas adults born in the East Asia region had the lowest intake.

Although adults born in East Asia had one of the smallest mean intakes of dairy milk compared to other adults, those who consumed milk had the highest median intake, similar to that of Australian born adults. Adults born in Australia were more likely to eat frozen milk products than other adults.

Adults born in the East Asia region had the lowest mean intake of non-alcoholic beverages, particularly coffee, but a relatively high average intake of mineral waters and water. Adults born in the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand had the highest mean intake of tea, whereas adults born in other European countries had the highest mean intake of coffee.

Adults born in Australia recorded the highest average consumption of beer whereas adults born in Europe and New Zealand consumed the largest amounts of wine. A much lower proportion of adults born in the East Asia region drank alcoholic beverages resulting in the lowest average intake.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC REGIONS

Adults living in the most disadvantaged areas had a lower mean intake of cereals and cereal products than adults living in other areas. This was because a lower proportion of people in the most disadvantaged areas ate cereal and those that ate cereals had a lower median intake.

Adults living in the least disadvantage areas had the highest intake of most fruit products and dishes due in part to a higher proportion of consumers, than for adults living in other areas.

Adults living in the most disadvantaged areas had the highest average intake of vegetable products and dishes, particularly potatoes and cabbage, cauliflower and similar brassica vegetables compared to adults living in other areas.

Adults living in the least disadvantaged areas had the lowest average intake of beers and the highest average intake of wines compared to other groups. Overall, those in the least disadvantaged areas recorded the highest proportion of consumers of alcoholic beverages.

STATES AND TERRITORIES

Adults in Tasmania generally reported the lowest mean intake of most foods and beverages.

Adults in South Australia and Victoria had the highest mean intakes of cereal-based products and dishes, due to a higher proportion of consumers, particularly for pastries and mixed dishes where cereal is the major ingredient.

Adults in Tasmania had the lowest average intake of fruit products and dishes (119g).

Adults in Queensland recorded the highest mean intake of mineral waters and water. Their average was about double that of adults in Tasmania who reported the lowest intake.

Adults in Tasmania had a higher mean intake of vegetables and vegetable products, particularly potatoes and carrots.

A higher proportion of adults in South Australia and Western Australia reported consuming flavoured milks and their mean intake was also highest.

Adults in Tasmania had the highest mean intake of muscle meats and the lowest mean intake of most other meat, poultry and game products and dishes.

Adults in Tasmania had the highest mean consumption of fats and oils due to a high proportion of consumers and the highest median intake for those who consumed.

Media Contact:
Kay McNiece, Dr Wooldridge's Office 0412 132 585
Mary Shiers, Population Health, Dept. Health and Aged Care 0412 108 386