AUSTRALIA is currently on track to fall well short of its 2030 health targets, according to new research from the CSIRO, due to worsening eating habits in need of significant intervention.
A new study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health predicts a surge in the consumption of discretionary foods and a decline in the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables over the next five years.
The study drew on nine years of data from 275,000 Australians to forecast future dietary trends, which were then compared against national prescribed targets.
Key findings from the report include a forecasted 18% jump in processed foods and sugary drinks by 2030 and a 10% drop in fruit consumption, with vegetable intake remaining stagnant below daily recommended levels.
Australia's National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 targets include an aim to hit a benchmark of two servings of fruit per day, five serves of vegetables and reducing sugary and processed food content to below 20% of total energy intake.
The report found the steepest decline will come from older Australians, with fruit consumption in those over 71 tipped to fall by 14.7%, potentially leading to greater strain on the health system.
Younger Australians were found to be the only age group showing positive signs but are still vulnerable to excessive amounts of discretionary foods.
CSIRO Senior Research Scientist Dr Gilly Hendrie said predicting these future health challenges before they occur could go a long way to preventative health planning.
"The gap between our current dietary trajectory and our national health targets is widening," Dr Hendrie said.
Key tools to turning around the concerning data, as outlined in the National Preventive Health Strategy, include improving awareness of and access to healthy diets and highlighting the role of nutrition in preventing chronic disease and supporting long-term life quality.
"Rather than waiting to see the impact of poor dietary habits, we can now identify concerning trends and intervene before they become major public health issues," Dr Hendrie commented.
"We have five years to get back on track with our diets and reverse these concerning trends." ML
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