2.4 The role of Australia’s governments in promoting healthy eating, through:

- The information provided by nutrition surveys and how it is used- The Australian Guide to Health Eating and Dietary Guidelinesfor Australian Adults

Promoting Healthy Eating• Nutrition is an area that requires attention in Australia in order of improvements in

health to occur.

• The Federal government plays a key role in bringing about improvements to food intake, through a number of initiatives

• Government plays an important part in research, resulting in the publication of guidelines and resources that will improve eating habits of Australians.

• Overall aim to improve eating habits and further; Reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases Improve the health and wellbeing of population groups, especially the nutritional status of

vulnerable groups

Promoting Healthy

Eating

Nutrition Surveys

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

The Australian

Dietary Guidelines

1. Nutrition Surveys• Provide a snapshot of what Australians, or population groups

within Australia, are eating in a particular time frame

• Information can then be used for many purposes including; Monitor nutrient intake against the Nutrient Reference Values and

Dietary Guidelines Assess changes in dietary habits and nutritional status over time

and to allow comparison Provide a basis for nutrition promotion strategies Provide information on the interrelationship of health, social,

economic and nutrition factors in selected population groups for policy and strategy development, including health promotion

Assist the evaluation of current policies and strategies

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National Nutrition and Physical activity survey 2007- Kids Eat, Kids Play• Survey of Australia’s children.

• Survey included information regarding: Dietary intake Body measurements Physical activity patterns Data about factors such as location, income, gender

• Results allowed us to: Used findings and compared to 1995 survey to identify trends that

were emerging. Compared findings to Physical Guidelines Information used by governments, health professionals etc to

understand changes that were occuring. Assisted sectors to work together to address health concerns Assisted to monitor health strategies Federal government were able to develop policies based on results Food industry could adjust to changes

National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey Program• Ongoing survey

• Data collected more regularly than the 1995 survey

• First survey is the 2011-2013 Health Survey- Most comprehensive survey ever done in Australia and also has a focus on Indigenous Australians.

• Data collected through a range of measures; Surveys Biomedical tests such as blood cholesterol, blood pressure

• Results will provide governments, health researchers, community etc with important information about health problems and emerging nutrition issues.

• Policies and strategies can then be developed and updated for both Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians.

How do Nutrition Surveys promote healthy eating?

Information can then be used for many purposes including;

This will promote healthy eating by:

Used findings and compared to 1995 survey to identify trends that were emerging

Information used by governments, health professionals etc to understand changes that were occurring.

Assisted sectors to work together to address health concerns

Assisted to monitor health strategies

Federal government were able to develop policies based on results

Food industry could adjust to changes

PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONQuestion 4 (Section A), VCAA exam 2012

The 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (Children’s Survey) was commissioned by the Department of Health and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Australian Food and Grocery Council.

Among others, the Children’s Survey showed the following results.

 Sugar: In the children surveyed, sugar contributed to between 23-24 per cent of total

energy intake. The Dietary Guidelines recommend a diet moderate in sugar (energy from sugar should not contribute more than 20 per cent of overall energy intake).

The proportion of all children who met the recommendations for a diet moderate in sugar increased with age (29 per cent of those aged 4-8 years compared to 39 per cent of 14-16 year olds).

Micronutrients Results indicate that some micronutrient intakes such as calcium, sodium and

magnesium are likely to be problematic, particularly for the 14-16 year olds who were the least likely to meet the recommended intake. 

a. Select one of the results of the survey outlined above and describe briefly the possible short- or long term consequences for health. 2 marks

b. In terms of promoting healthy eating, provide two reasons why the government carries out national nutrition surveys. 4 marks

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2. Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults

OVERVIEW: Information from Nutrition Survey are used to help develop healthy eating tools such as the

Dietary Guidelines. Developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)- Federal Government

body. Reviewed and updated in 2013. Intended for use by; health professionals, educators, industry bodies etc and also aimed at the

general public.

WHY ARE THEY DEVELOPED: Australian population has experienced an increase in diet-related conditions and diseases and

the guidelines are designed to address the causes of these increases. Assist people to reduce intake of energy dense foods and increase intake of nutrient dense

foods such as fruit and vegetables.

AIMS: To develop healthy lifestyles that will promote health and wellbeing in the community Reduce the risk of developing a range of diet-related conditions such as hypertension and

impaired glucose regulation. Reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus,

cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

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2. Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults

• The Dietary Guidelines along with providing the 5 key Guidelines also provides a summary of recommended number of servings for each of the five food groups identified in Guideline 2.

• See pages 277, 278, 279, 280

Dietary Guideline Health Benefits if the dietary guideline is followed

Reason for the incluson of this guideline

To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs

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Dietary Guideline Health Benefits if the dietary guideline is followed

Reason for the incluson of this guideline

Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five groups every day:- Plenty of vegetables, including different types and colours, and legumes/beans- Fruit- Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties, such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley- Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans- Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat (reduced fat milks are not suitable for children under the age of 2 years)- And drink plenty of water

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Dietary Guideline Health Benefits if the dietary guideline is followed

Reason for the incluson of this guideline

Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohola. Limit intake of foods high in

saturated fat Replace high fat foods which contain predominantly saturated fats with foods which contain predominantly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

b. Limit intake of foods and drinks containing added salt.- Do not add salt to foods in

cooking or at the table.

c. Limit intake of foods and drinks containing added sugars such as confectionary, sugar-sweetened soft drinks and cordials, fruit drinks, vitamin waters, energy andsports drinks.

d. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit intake. For women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is the safest option.

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Dietary Guideline Health Benefits if the dietary guideline is followed

Reason for the incluson of this guideline

Guideline 4Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding

Guideline 5Care for your food; prepare and store it safely

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3. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating- AGHE

• The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating is a food selection guide which visually represents the proportion of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day through the break down of a plate.

• Developed by the Federal Government

• Intended to be used by consumers to assist them with planning, selecting and consuming adequate proportions of foods from the five food groups.

• Visual reflection of the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

• Endeavors to develop knowledge and skills of all Australians in consuming a healthier diet.

3. The Australian Guide to Healthy EatingR

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Description of the AGHE:

Description

How it promotes healthy eating

How it promotes health

How this reflects the Dietary Guidelines

PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 3 (section B), VCAA Sample exam 2010

d. Explain one way the Australian Government could promote healthy eating to Indigenous Australians to improve their health status. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 marks

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PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 1 (section B), VCAA exam 2010

 Promoting healthy eating is a major focus for the ‘Life!’ program, a local government initiative. The Australian Government also plays an important role in promoting healthy eating. Identify two ways in which the Australian Government promotes healthy eating and how these promotions could reduce the prevalence of diabetes mellitus.

 1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 marks

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PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 2 (Section B), VCAA exam 2010

 The 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey’s key findings were that only 1% of 14-16 year old boys and girls consumed sufficient fruit and 5% of 14-16 year olds and girls met the dietary guidelines for vegetable intake.

 Identify two ways in which the Australian Government could use the nutrition information from surveys like this.

1.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____2 marks

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PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 4d, VCAA exam 2006

The Australian Government has develop dietary guidelines across the lifespan, partly in attempt to reduce the risks associated with obesity.

 Choose two of the Dietary Guidelines for Adults and show how they may assist an individual to maintain a healthy body mass index.

 Dietary guideline 1 and 2

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assistance in maintaining a healthy body mass index

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4 marks

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