The first profile of Australia’s eating habits available in 15 years has uncovered some interesting statistics when it comes to our food consumption. The Australian Healthy Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics interviewed 12,000 people in 2011-12 about their eating habits and dietary behaviours.
It was found that over 13 per cent of Australians aged 15 years and over were on a diet to lose weight or for some other health reason - this included 15 per cent of females and 11 per cent of males.
Despite many being on a diet, Australians are eating 30 per cent less fruit and vegetables than 15 years ago, with 25 per cent of adults eating no vegetables on an average day and only seven per cent eating the daily recommended five servings.
Consuming an estimated 3.1 kilograms of foods and beverages per day, 35 per cent of total energy was found to come from foods considered to be of little nutritional value and tended to be high in saturated fats, sugars, salt and/or alcohol.
The study shows that men are now consuming about 9600 kilojules each day – 1400 kJ less than 15 years ago – and women's average energy intake has dropped one per cent to 7400 kJ each day. Australians are also eating 12 per cent less carbohydrates than 15 years ago - consuming around 226 grams of carbohydrates daily.
When it comes to dietary supplements, 29 per cent of Australians reported taking at least one dietary supplement on the day prior to their interview. Multivitamin and/or multimineral supplements were the most commonly taken dietary supplements, being consumed by around 16 per cent of the population, with fish oil supplements taken by around 12 per cent of the population.
Food intolerances were also found to be prevalent, with 17 per cent of Australians over two years old avoiding a food type due to allergy or intolerance.
