Aims:  
  • To determine key characteristics of population level diet in remote communities, and model the cost of dietary improvement and cost benefit of a subsidy on fruit, vegetables, water and diet soft drinks. 
Summary:  

The cost of food compared to people’s income is a barrier to consuming a healthy diet. 

Three Northern Territory communities agreed to participate. Store sales reports and food service invoices from July 2010 – June 2011 were collected. This provided information on the population level diet and costs (excluding traditional foods and foods bought outside of the community). 

This information was analysed and models were built to determine the cost and health impact of changes to the current diet.

Implications for policy and practice:  

This is the first study to provide complete data on the population level diet for communities in remote Australia and provides evidence on changes required to the diet at minimum cost.

Our research has found:
  • Very poor dietary quality continues to be a characteristic of population diet since the earliest studies almost three decades ago. 
  • Significant proportions of key micronutrients are provided from poor quality nutrient-fortified processed foods, rather than nutrient-rich, minimally-processed foods. 
  • A healthier diet is achievable within people’s current food expenditure
  • Australian sodium targets at least cost can only be achieved with reduced sodium in manufactured foods
  • Price subsidies may be cost effective; verification by trial-based research is needed.
Chief investigator:
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Project dates:

This project was completed in 2011.