Unit 3, AOS 2, Outcome 2

PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING.

KEY KNOWLEDGE AND KEY SKILLS.

Key knowledge: 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 Healthy Eating and

Dietary Guidelines for Australian AdultsThe role of Australia’s non-government agencies,

including Nutrition Australia, in providing dietary advice to promote healthy eating

Key skills: Explain and draw informed conclusions about the role of government and non-government agencies in promoting healthy eating

In Australia, the role of promoting healthy eating in public health is an extremely important one.

Public health nutrition is addressed in various ways by both the government and by non-government organisations.

The Australian Government has a major role in making Australia a healthier nation. It is their role to: Research issues relating to health, Implement health promotion activities relating to food

consumption and guiding nutrient intake (Nutrient Reference Values),

Implement strategies related to recommendations for healthy eating (dietary guidelines) to improve health status.

Create policy, legislations and guidelines (food standards, nutrition labelling, nutrient and health claims) reflecting the information gathered to improve health status.

THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN PROMOTING HEALTHY

EATING.

Poor health status has a large impact on the government’s finances-it creates a large burden on the health budget.

As a result, the government places a large emphasis on ensuring the health status of Australian’s is prioritised and is constantly on the improve.

A healthy nation is a productive nation, which contributes to the country’s GDP and international economic standing

WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO IMPROVE HEALTH

STATUS??

There are 4 possible areas that should come to mind when you are asked a question that refers to the government and the promotion of healthy eating:

Nutrition Surveys

Nutrient Reference Values

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

Australian Dietary Guidelines

HOW DOES THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PROMOTE HEALTHY

EATING?

The aim of nutrition surveys is to monitor and assess food consumption and related behaviours within the Australian population.

Using this information, the Government can then design and implement food and nutrition related programs and policies aimed at improving nutritional behaviours within the Australian population.

Survey data can be collected in a number of ways including: food diary and records, food list recalls, telephone surveys.

NUTRITION SURVEYS.

Find the definitions and, in your own words, explain both food diary and records and food list recalls

Four of the most recent nutrition surveys conducted by the Australian Government include:

National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey

National Nutrition SurveyAustralian Health Survey Program, which includes a National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey and a National Health Measures Survey

Victorian Population Health Survey.

NUTRITION SURVEYS.

Nutrition surveys can assist in promote healthy eating through using the results:

As a tool to assess dietary intakes and determine dietary trends

As a resource to assist the government to develop appropriate food and nutrition policy and food models such as the Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

To guide future revisions of National Health goals and targets

To assess the effectiveness of current nutrition education campaigns

To provide a reliable source of information to non-government organisations such as Nutrition Australia to assist them to develop consistent education campaigns

NUTRITION SURVEYS.

• You need to know how/why nutrition surveys are used.

Q. Briefly outline two ways that the results from nutrition surveys could be used by any level of government to promote healthy eating.

Possible answers;The results could assist governments to develop and

implement policies around a range of areas related to children’s exposure to food such as healthy school canteen policies, energy dense foods to children or regulations around advertising.

The state government could use the results as evidence to support the funding of a range of health promotion activities through the media and in schools to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables, milk and milk products, and reductions in the consumption of saturated fat and salt.

EXAMPLE QUESTION.

4000+ young people aged 5–16 years were randomly surveyed. Participants were asked to recall all food, drink and dietary

supplements they had consumed in the previous 24-hours. Physical activity participation data was also collected through

activity recalls and a pedometer record.

The data collected was compared with food guidelines (such as Nutrient Reference Values) and dietary recommendations (such as the Dietary Guidelines) to draw conclusions about the nutrient intake and food habits of young people in comparison to nutrient and activity recommendations and requirements.

The results provided information to help governments and health professionals understand and analyse the changes in children’s eating and activity patterns and as a result develop strategies and policies that address the areas of concern highlighted from the data relating to child nutrition and PA.

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S NUTRITION AND

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SURVEY

Similar to the Children’s nutrition and PA survey however this surveyed was conducted on Australian’s of all ages.

The NNS collected data on food intake for comparison with dietary guidelines and nutrient intake for comparison with RDIs for Australians in general, and for those population groups at risk of health problems related to diet.

NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY (NNS)

Assessed the health and nutritional status of adults living in Victoria.

Food consumption data was obtained via three 24-hour recalls

Data on the presence of chronic diseases, nutrition, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption was also gathered.

Using this data, the government could then compare the food intake with recommendations, such as fruit/veg servings, and determine the percentage of Victorian adults who were overweight/obese or suff ered from type 2 diabetes.

This then allowed government’s to design policies and strategies targeting the areas of concern found from their surveys.

VICTORIAN POPULATION HEALTH SURVEY

Activity 7.1 pg 251.

NUTRITION SURVEYS.

The latest edition of the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating were developed in 2013.

The development of these food models was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

You need to know how these different guidelines promote healthy eating. E.g. they recognise the importance of certain food

groups and give a recommendation on the number of serves required from each food group to maintain a healthy diet.

AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES AND THE

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

The guidelines were developed by the Australian Government to provide guidance on foods and dietary patterns that provide the nutrients required for optimal health and wellbeing and protect against chronic disease

The guidelines seek to promote the potential benefits of healthy eating to reduce the risk of diet-related disease and to improve the community’s health and wellbeing.

These recommendations for healthy eating are realistic, and practical.

THE AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES

Read pages 252-258 on the 5 Guidelines. Understand each guideline and how/why they are

important in maintaining a healthy weight.

Complete a diagram explaining the 5 guidelines (Can us table 7.1 as a guide)

Activity 7.2

THE AUSTRALIAN DIETARY GUIDELINES

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating provides a visual representation of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day, for a long and healthy life.

The overall message is to ‘Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods every day’ and to ‘Drink water’.

Overall, the AGHE aims to promote healthy eating habits throughout life, to assist in reducing the risk of health problems in later life, such as heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

The AGHE indicates the recommended proportion of each food group to be eaten by proportioning each of the food groups on a plate.

The plate proportions are based on recommended minimum serves of the food groups.

The proportions are as follows: Grain foods group – 6 serves Fruit – 2 serves Vegetables and legumes – 5 serves Milk, yoghurt and cheese – 2 serves Meat, fish, chicken, eggs, nuts and legumes – 2

serves.Its also contains ‘sometimes foods’, foods to be

used in small amounts and water (8+glasses)

AUSTRALIAN GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING

There are a number of nongovernment organisations (NGOs) interested in promoting healthy eating and improving the health status of Australians.

NGOs active in the public health nutrition sector include: Australian Cancer Councils, Diabetes Australia, The National Heart Foundation of Australia, Nutrition Australia (The Healthy Living Pyramid)

Professional associations such as the Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA)

Nursing Mothers’ Association of Australia, Meals on Wheels.

THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN PROMOTING

HEALTHY EATING

The role of the larger NGOs can include: Assisting governments to develop nutrition policy

and strategy frameworks Provision of expert knowledge and advice to

governments and government bodies through assisting with the shaping of key public health nutrition documents

All the NGOs employ a multi-strategic approach to their public health nutrition work, including awareness raising, information provision for the public and health professionals, and education (e.g. Nutrition Australia’s Nutrition Week, Diabetes Australia client services)

Research – NGOs undertake market and applied research around their target groups and programs.

THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN PROMOTING

HEALTHY EATING

Nutrition Australia is a non-government, non-profi t, community-based organisation that aims to promote the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

Nutrition Australia is Australia’s primary community nutrition education body, providing scientifically based nutrition information to encourage all Australians to achieve optimal health through food variety and physical activity.

Nutrition Australia has worked extensively in the area of nutrition for children, adolescents and older Australians in nursing homes or in their own homes.

NUTRITION AUSTRALIA

Nutrition Australia off ers a range of services including: Providing the latest on nutrition research, current food

and health trends Coordination of the events in the annual National

Nutrition Week campaign Preparation and design of publications Food industry consultancies Nutrition training and presentations (Could work with

food manufacturers or chefs to provide advice on how they can improve the nutritional value of their food.)

Menu assessments. Design campaigns/programs to raise the awareness of

the importance of healthy eating. (In schools, workplaces targeting a specific group e.g. children or parents of children)

NUTRITION AUSTRALIA

Q. Describe the role of Nutrition Australia in promoting healthy eating in Australia. (2 marks)

Example response. (For full marks)Nutrition Australia promotes healthy eating by

providing the latest on nutritional research, current food and health trends. Nutrition Australia often work with schools, communities and individuals to encourage healthy eating by developing campaigns, programs or resources. This includes Books, posters, and leaflets or Programs to promote health in the workplace and schools.

EXAMPLE QUESTION.

Q. Nutrition Australia is a non-government organisation that works to promote healthy eating among Australians. Explain one way that Nutrition Australia works to reduce the risk of Australians developing cancer. (2 marks)

Sample responses: (For full marks) Nutrition Australia is responsible for the development of the

Healthy Living Pyramid. This food model encourages food variety, and suffi cient fi bre. Fibre has been shown to have a relationship with lower rate of colorectal cancer.

Nutrition Australia provides menu assessments for a range of organisations including schools. They could promote a healthy diet which could reduce rates of obesity. Obesity has been shown to have a relationship with a range of cancers including breast and kidney cancer.

The Healthy Living Pyramid has been the trademark of Nutrition Australia for 20 years.

In the Nutrition Australia logo.

The Healthy Living Pyramid encourages food variety, adequate water consumption, limited salt, minimum fat and adequate fibre, and encourages physical activity,

THE HEALTHY LIVING PYRAMID

The Healthy Living Pyramid has been based on the Dietary Guidelines and simply shows all of the food groups and in the proportions each should be consumed.

It is a simple model that can easily be understood and used by children and adults, especially people without detailed knowledge of diet and nutrition, to ensure food intake will meet nutritional requirements.

The Healthy Living Pyramid also highlights the relationship of diet and exercise for optimal health and draws attention to reducing salt intake.

The pyramid is divided into three sections: 1 Eat Most. 2 Eat Moderately. 3 Eat in Small Amounts.

THE HEALTHY LIVING PYRAMID

Extension Q 3.Exam prep Q A-C

Q1. Provide three examples of the recommendations provided in the Australian Dietary Guidelines . (3 marks)

Q2. Describe one way that Nutrition Australia uses the information provided in the Australian Dietary Guidelines to promote healthy eating. (2 marks)

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q1. Any three guidelines could have been included in your answers.

Q2. Nutrition Australia can use the information in the provision of one of the following services: providing the latest on nutrition research, current food and

health trends coordination of the events in the annual National Nutrition

Week Campaign high-profile seminars for the general public and health

professionals providing extensive media commentary preparation and design of healthy eating promotion campaigns food industry consultancies nutrition training and presentations conducting menu assessments in workplaces.

ANSWERS

Activity?Page with food model-students need to summarise

the main points/message of the model (what is it trying to encourage)

In an exam/SAC students will need to be able to explain how/why the results of nutrition surveys can be used to promote healthy eating. E.g. how can the guidelines models be used to address the information found in the surveys. (and in turn improve health.) E.g How could nutrition Aus. Respond to the results of the survey?

HHD34_extra_exam_Ch7.doc

Do they need to know all of these nutrition surveys??Or give a quick summary on each of the nitrition

surveys.

HHD34_extra_exam_Ch7.doc