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In the 2023 financial year, it was estimated that Australians had on average 3,094.5 milligrams of sodium available to consume per day, which was the highest quantity compared to other mineral types. Australian and New Zealand dietary guidelines suggest that adults should limit their intake of sodium to 2,000 milligrams per day.

Do Australians eat well?

Just over half of Australians believe that they eat a healthy diet. However, when it comes to reaching their recommended intake of fruit and vegetables the statistics paint a very different picture. Many Australian adults do not reach their daily recommended intake of fruit, and even fewer consume enough vegetables. While there is more to a healthy diet than just vegetable intake, a poor or imbalanced diet can lead to long term health issues and illnesses. Around five percent of Australians live with diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.

Childhood obesity

Like many other economically developed countries, obesity rates are an ongoing health issue in Australia. Of particular interest to public health policy is reducing the rates of obesity and overweight children, although the proportion of adults who are obese is much higher. This is perhaps because overweight or obese children are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Furthermore, healthy eating programs can be better targeted towards children in schools to foster healthy eating habits that will continue into adulthood.