Poor food and nutrient intake among Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural Australian children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to describe the food and nutrient intake of a population of rural Australian children particularly Indigenous children. Participants were aged 10 to 12 years, and living in areas of relative socio-economic disadvantage on the north coast of New South Wales.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this descriptive cross-sectional study 215 children with a mean age of 11.30 (SD 0.04) years (including 82 Indigenous children and 93 boys) completed three 24-hour food recalls (including 1 weekend day), over an average of two weeks in the Australian summer of late 2005.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A high proportion of children consumed less than the Australian Nutrient Reference Values for fibre (74-84% less than Adequate Intake (AI)), calcium (54-86% less than Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)), folate and magnesium (36% and 28% respectively less than EAR among girls), and the majority of children exceeded the upper limit for sodium (68-76% greater than Upper Limit (UL)). Energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) food consumption contributed between 45% and 49% to energy. Hot chips, sugary drinks, high-fat processed meats, salty snacks and white bread were the highest contributors to key nutrients and sugary drinks were the greatest <it>per capita </it>contributor to daily food intake for all. <it>Per capita </it>intake differences were apparent by Indigenous status. Consumption of fruit and vegetables was low for all children. Indigenous boys had a higher intake of energy, macronutrients and sodium than non-Indigenous boys.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The nutrient intake and excessive EDNP food consumption levels of Australian rural children from disadvantaged areas are cause for concern regarding their future health and wellbeing, particularly for Indigenous boys. Targeted intervention strategies should address the high consumption of these foods.</p

Quanto custa para as famílias de baixa renda obterem uma dieta saudável no Brasil?

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar o custo necessário para a obtenção de uma dieta saudável no Brasil e analisar o comprometimento dessa prática na renda familiar. Foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares de 2008. Aquisições de alimentos foram coletadas durante sete dias em 55.970 domicílios. Dois subconjuntos compostos apenas por famílias de baixa renda (≤ R$415,00 per capita/mês e ≤ US$ 1,00 per capita/dia) foram analisados. A partir dos alimentos obtidos, foram calculados calorias, despesa com alimentação e o preço médio dos oito grupos alimentares presentes no Guia Brasileiro. Foram comparados os gastos atuais e ideais para os oito grupos. As obtenções excederam às recomendações para feijões, óleos/gorduras, doces, carnes/ovos e não alcançaram as recomendações para frutas, hortaliças, lácteos e cereais. Atingir as recomendações aumentaria os gastos com a alimentação em 58%, para indivíduos de renda/per capita de ≤ US$1,00 per capita/dia, e em 39$ 415,00, e comprometeria em 145% a renda familiar. Brasileiros de menor poder aquisitivo necessitam aumentar a renda para atingir a dieta ideal.</p

Utamu wa

Aim To examine the role of gardening as a component of resettled African refugees' food environment. Methods This was a qualitative study that collected data using in-depth interviews from 13 gardeners who were purposively sampled to include those participating in community and home gardens. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the data. Results Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three emerging themes: food provision (access, availability and affordability), enhanced wellbeing (mental and physical) and barriers encountered in the food environment (limited knowledge on crop seasonality, size of garden and cost of manure). By having access to a vegetable garden, participants were able to access healthy foods and utilise familiar and culturally acceptable foods. Conclusions Through gardening, the resettled refugees' traditional foods are not only made available but easily accessible at little or no cost ensuring households are able to make healthy food choices. The pillars of food security-food availability, access, utilisation and stability-are enhanced through gardening, making community and home gardens an important component of the resettled refugees' food environment.Griffith Health, School of Public HealthNo Full Tex