Overview

The food and beverages we eat and drink (our diet) play an important role in our overall health and wellbeing. Diets that provide insufficient or excessive amounts of energy, nutrients and other components can result in ill health. Health conditions that are often affected by our diet include overweight and obesity, coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer and type 2 diabetes.

More reports and statistics on food & nutrition can be found under Physical activity and Overweight & obesity.

Latest findings

3 to 8 serves of discretionary foods were consumed by children per day in 2011–12 Since 1995, the contribution of added sugars, total fat and saturated fat to energy intake has generally decreased Nearly all Australians (99%) aged 2–18, and 9 in 10 adults aged 19 and over do not eat enough vegetables About one-third of Australians’ energy is from discretionary foods. This is highest for teenagers aged 14–18, at 41% Iron and calcium intakes for girls and women in some age groups need to improve For adults aged 51–70, alcoholic drinks account for more than one-fifth (22%) of discretionary food intake Overall, the diets of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are similar Although fruit intake is closest to the recommendations, nearly 4 in 5 adults (77%) aged 19–50 do not eat enough Less than 1 in 10 adults met the recommendations for daily vegetable consumption in 2017–18 7.1% of children aged 2–17 consumed sugar sweetened drinks daily in 2017–18 5 to 7 serves of discretionary foods were consumed by adults per day in 2011–12 9.1% of adults consumed sugar sweetened drinks daily in 2017–18

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Highlights

Less than1 in 10 adults met the recommendations for daily vegetable consumption in 2017–18
7.1%of children aged 2–17 and 9.1% of adults consumed sugar sweetened beverages daily in 2017–18
14%fall in neural tube defects has occurred following mandatory folic acid fortification of bread in Australia
For adultsaged 51–57 alcoholic drinks account for more than one-fifth (22%) of discretionary food intake
1.4%of the Australian burden of disease in 2015 was attributable to a diet low in fruit
2%of the Australian burden of disease in 2011 was attributable to a diet low in fruit
60%of babies were exclusively breastfed to 4 months in 2014–15
7.3%of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2015 was due to poor diet
About one-third of Australians’ energy is from discretionary foods. This is highest for teenagers aged 14–18, at 41%