Australia’s nutrition issues
May 23, 2012
SEVENTY-five percent of
Australians do not choose food
based on its nutritional value,
despite the fact that 95% would like
to be healthier, according to the
2012 Bupa Nutritional Survey.
The results also found that whilst
most respondents said they had a
good knowledge of nutrition, more
than two thirds incorrectly answered
questions about standard serving
sizes for vegetables, meat and chicken.
More than 60% of people also
said that they find the Nutritional
Information Panels on packaging
difficult to understand.
“While people want to be
healthier, the results show far too
many Australians either don’t
understand how to eat healthily, or
doing so isn’t a priority,” said
Bupa CMO, Dr Paul Bates.
“Information and advice must be
easy to understand and incorporate
into busy lives.
“People are being bombarded with
information about healthy living,
and the right messages simply
aren’t getting through,” he added.
Interestingly, more than half of all
participants said that they have
treats such as chocolate, cake and
soft drink at least once a day.
“In actual fact, it’s fine for people
to enjoy some treats in moderation.
“But that’s the key; people should
only be having treats occasionally,
the bulk of a person’s diet should
be made up of nutritious foods like
vegetables and fruit, lean meat, fish
and chicken, and wholegrain cereals
like rice, noodles, bread and pasta,
with sweets and processed
products rarely consumed,” said
Bates.
The key barrier to achieving
better health, according to
participants, is a lack of motivation.
Other barriers cited as major
issues included cost, lack of time,
and demands of work.
Speaking in the wake of the survey
Bupa Health and Wellness Advisor,
former Ironman Guy Leech,
advocated small healthy changes.
“Too many people think it’s hard
to be fit and healthy,” he said.
“But the reality is that it’s not
difficult if you focus on making a
few changes at a time,” he added.
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