Celebrating Nutrition Week 

in Queensland

10-16th October 1999

4  OCTOBER 1999

The not-so-secret solution to good health - 

Food Variety and Physical Activity

In response to the facts that over half of Australians are now classified as overweight or obese and that over 50% of chronic diseases are diet related the Australian Nutrition Foundation’s (ANF) Nutrition Week 1999 theme is "Food Variety & Physical Activity". Nutrition Week will be held from 10^th-16^th October.

It will be launched in Queensland with a Run’N Brunch for 30:30 Day on Sunday 10^th October. The aim of 30:30 day is to highlight the need to eat a variety of foods, at least 30 per day and to participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

The ANF recommends that we shift our focus from special diets to eating a wider variety of foods.

"Eating 20-30 different foods most days helps improve our health as well as manage our weight. Currently the average Australians eat only 15-18 different foods per week. Research shows that people who eat a wider variety of foods are healthier, have a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes and live longer." said ANF Dietitian, Kristie Birtwistle.

The ANF has developed a Food Variety Checklist that enables us to rate our diet, in terms of the number of foods we eat. It also contains a sample meal plan that shows how to increase variety each day.

Additionally, the ANF recognises the need for increasing physical activity in order to reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity.

"The technology of today has reduced the need for human movement. This is often referred to as the ‘Bill Gates hypothesis’. Computers, TV’s and videos keep us inactive for long periods of time. Cars have reduced the need for walking and remote controls have further reduced activity levels," said Ms Birtwistle.

The current proportion of inactive Australians is unacceptably high. Nearly a third of Australians are completely inactive. Only half of adults are sufficiently physical active to maintain or improving heart health.

Activities planned for Nutrition Week 1999 in Brisbane and South East Queensland are outlined below:

Run’ N Brunch for 30:30 Day at 8am, Sunday 10^th October, Brisbane Botanic

Gardens. This event will launch Nutrition Week.

-Sports Nutrition Seminar- at 6pm, Tuesday 12^th October, UQ

A lunch time seminar on Wednesday 13^th October, COTAH

4. Healthy Eat Week this event will be piloted in selected primary schools and is aimed at increasing the student’s knowledge of healthy eating.

For further information on Nutrition Week, to obtain a copy of the Food Variety Checklist or to book for the above events please phone the ANF on 3876 2677.

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