There are concerns over the long-term health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, with experts warning that poor childhood nutrition may contribute to the growing generational health crisis.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey has found that children aged between the ages of two and 17 received 40.1 per cent of their daily energy intake from discretionary foods, including fast food, sugary drinks, confectionary and processed snacks.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the most common barrier people experienced when it came to accessing healthy and nutritious foods is cost, showing that there are similar proportions being reported amongst people living in both non-remote and remote areas at 59.4 per cent and 63.6 per cent respectively.
Source: Australian Bureau Statistics (2023)
The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne has warned families that eating habits established during childhood can have long-term impacts on health and wellbeing, as recent findings emphasise the importance of better nutrition education, stronger family support, and improving the awareness of families and children about misleading dietary information.
Executive Manager of Food for Health Alliance Australia Jane Martin said that unhealthy food marketing had a powerful influence on children.
“It shapes what they eat, what they ask for, and how they spend their pocket money. This marketing normalises unhealthy diets at an age when lifelong habits are formed,” she said.
“Limiting unhealthy food marketing to children is possible and the report released today further confirms that Australia can and should act.
“It’s time for all Governments to take strong action, so all children can grow up in environments that support their health and wellbeing rather than prioritising profits for processed food companies.”
The survey also found that discretionary foods contributed to 37.3 per cent of the average daily intake in 2023, which was down from 40.8 per cent in 2012-13.
The ABS noted that this shift was driven primarily by an increase in energy intake from non-discretionary foods, rather than a reduction in discretionary food consumption itself.
Source: Australian Bureau Statistics (2023)
Source: Australian Bureau Statistics (2023)
Local dietitian and childcare worker from regional New South Wales, Lachlan Schafer said that stronger government action is needed to protect children from persuasive food marketing, stating that constant exposure to unhealthy advertising is making it harder for families to encourage healthy eating.
“I think this is why you find a lot of the youth eating poorly and not doing well for themselves because it’s sponsored,” he said.
“I believe we need to start monitoring what our kids are eating in schools, as well as looking at the food triangle and that should teach them what they’re eating.”
As concerns grow over the long-term health impacts of poor health nutrition, health advocates claimed addressing food affordability, education and unhealthy food marketing will be critical to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a better opportunity to develop healthy habits and achieve better health outcomes in the future.
