Guidelines Dietary - Eat For Health

More recent evidence from Western societies confirms that dietary patterns consistent with guidelinesrecommending relatively high amounts of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, poultry, fish, and reduced fat milk,yoghurt and cheese products may be associated with superior nutritional status, quality of life and survival inolder adults. 21,22 Robust modelling of dietary patterns in accordance with dietary guidelines has demonstratedachievable reductions in predicted cardiovascular and cancer disease mortality in the population, particularly withincreased consumption of fruit and vegetables. 23In relation to obesity, dietary advice and measures of compliance and weight outcomes vary greatly in publishedstudies. Overall energy intake is the key dietary factor affecting weight status (see Chapter 1).Social determinants of food choices and health are important considerationsLife expectancy and health status are relatively high overall in Australia. 11,24 Nonetheless, there are differences inhealth and wellbeing between Australians, including rates of death and disease, life expectancy, self-perceivedhealth, health behaviours, health risk factors, and use of health services. 25-27The causes of health inequities are largely outside the health system and relate to the inequitable distribution ofsocial, economic and cultural resources and opportunities. 25-27 Employment, income, education, cultural influencesand lifestyle, language, sex and other genetic differences, isolation (geographic, social or cultural), age anddisability, the security and standard of accommodation, and the availability of facilities and services, all interactwith diet, health and nutritional status. 25,26 Conversely, a person’s poor health status can contribute to socialisolation and limit his or her ability to gain employment or education and earn an income, which can in turnhave a negative impact on health determinants such as quality and stability of housing.Social determinants of health and nutrition status are important considerations for users of these Guidelines,particularly when giving advice to individuals or groups in the community. Australians who are at greater risk ofdiet-mediated poor health include the very young, the very old, those living in remote areas, Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and those in lower socioeconomicgroups. 25-30 The Guidelines address some of the issues faced by these population groups, in the ‘Practicalconsiderations’ section for each Guideline. Further discussion of social determinants of food choices and healthis included in Appendix A.Scope and target audienceThe Guidelines, together with the underlying evidence base, provide guidance on foods, food groups and dietarypatterns that protect against chronic disease and provide the nutrients required for optimal health and wellbeing(see Appendix B for further information on how the Guidelines were developed). They are important tools thatsupport broader strategies to improve nutrition outcomes in Australia, as highlighted in Eat well Australia:An agenda for action in public health nutrition, 2000–2010. 2 They are consistent with the most recent AustralianFood and Nutrition Policy 1992 31 in considering health, wellbeing, equity and the environment. A brief history ofthe development of Australian nutrition documents and resources is included in Appendix C.The Guidelines apply to all healthy AustraliansThe Guidelines aim to promote the benefits of healthy eating, not only to reduce the risk of diet-related diseasebut also to improve community health and wellbeing. The Guidelines are intended for people of all ages andbackgrounds in the general healthy population, including people with common diet-related risk factors such asbeing overweight.The Guidelines do not apply to people with medical conditions requiring specialised dietary advice,or to frail elderly people who are at risk of malnutrition.2EAT FOR HEALTH – australian dietary guidelinesNational Health and Medical Research Council