Dietitians Australia is emphasizing the critical need to prioritize nutrition action in the country, citing new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicating that Australians are purchasing below the recommended daily intake of core food groups.
According to the released data, Australians are buying fewer foods overall on average, with significant reductions observed in core food groups such as fruit, vegetables, grains, and cereals.
Of particular concern is the substantial decline in the consumption of vegetables, legumes, and beans, dropping from 2.4 serves to 2.2 serves per day, as highlighted in the ABS findings.
Tara Diversi, President of Dietitians Australia, stressed, “The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend an average of 5 serves of vegetables, legumes, and beans per adult per day. We therefore assume based on the ABS findings that on average, Australians are achieving less than half of that requirement. This is absolutely a trend we need to work hard together to reverse.”
Moreover, the data revealed an increase in purchases from discretionary categories of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, including potato chips, chocolate, and energy drinks.
Diversi emphasized the importance of prioritizing the purchase of affordable, nutrient-dense foods like seasonal vegetables and fruits, legumes, and beans, while reducing spending on discretionary foods high in sugar, salt, and fats.
“Poor diet is one of the leading chronic disease risk factors in Australia. Australians deserve to be supported with affordable fresh fruit and vegetables and nutrient-dense foods,” Diversi stated.
She further emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, including policy actions to empower Australians to make health-conscious choices.
The urgency for action is underscored by ongoing efforts to revamp Australia’s National Nutrition Policy, with Diversi calling for secured funding to implement it.
In line with this, Dietitians Australia is urging the government to invest in a national food and nutrition monitoring surveillance program as part of its 2024 Budget Submission.
“We need this data to inform and drive policy improvements relating to access, affordability, and availability of nutritious food in all communities,” Diversi concluded.