Draft Australian Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 3MB) - Eat For Health

Table 1.1: Changes in macronutrient intake in Australia for adults and children/adolescentsbetween 1983 and 1995Adults (25–64 years) 1983 to1995Adolescents (10–15 years) 1985to 1995Nutrient /indicatorDirection (a)Extent ofchangeDirection (a)Extent ofchangeEnergy Increased Men 3%Women 4%Increased Boys 15%Girls 11%Protein Unchanged - Increased Boys 14%Girls 13%Carbohydrate Increased Men 17%Women 16%Fat Decreased Men 6%Women 4%Dietary fibre Increased Men 13%Women 10%Note: (a) Where there is a trend in mean intake it is significant at 1% level.Source: Cook et al. 2001 [48]Barriers to complianceIncreased Boys 22%Girls 18%UnchangedIncreased Boys 13%Girls 8%Influences on dietary choices throughout life are complex, ranging from individual, physical andsocial factors through to societal and environmental factors [49-87].Possible barriers to compliance with recommendations may include poor communication ofadvice, low levels of understanding of the information, low levels of food literacy and high levels offood insecurity (this may include the inability to access adequate amounts of nutritious, culturallyacceptable foods), conflicting messages (including advertising and promotion of energy-densenutrient-poor foods and drinks), and particular dietary preferences [88, 89].There appear to be complex relationships between dietary patterns established in childhood anddietary quality over time. Studies suggest that frequency of takeaway food consumption increasesduring childhood, adolescence and young adulthood [90] and, together with consumption of lowqualitysnacks, is associated with higher intakes of energy, total fat, saturated fat and sodium [75-77, 90]. The frequency of eating breakfast decreases with age and is associated with reducedintake of calcium and dietary fibre [91]. There is some evidence that family meal patterns duringDRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 19