Food Matters Circular Head

NOVEMBER 2021

FOOD MATTERS

CIRCULAR HEAD

PRESENTED

BY

THE

CAPITOL PROJECT TEAM Helping communities to more effectively prevent obesity

FOOD MATTERS | THE GOOD GUIDE

Overweight and obesity are common problems in North-West Tasmania and there are many contributing factors.

It is unfortunate that many people have limited access to healthy food options, and this increases the risk of obesity in some communities.

The definition of a 'healthy diet' differs between individuals.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines provide a good starting point and are based on the latest scientific evidence.

Guideline 1: To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs Guideline 2: Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five main food groups every day Guideline 3: Limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol Guideline 4: Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding Guideline 5: Care for your food; prepare and store it safely

FOOD MATTERS | HEALTHY EATING GUIDE

FOOD MATTERS | THE BEST CHOICE

Map of Smithton indicating best choice food options.

The best choice These outlets sell healthier foods and include fruit and vegetable markets, supermarkets, and butchers.

The second choice These outlets include restaurants, canteens, takeaway shops, bakeries, caterers and fast-food franchises, and sell more processed food.

Knowing where the 'best choices' are will help you with your next food purchase. 'Best choice' outlets mainly sell healthier foods. These products are less processed - have more of these foods!

FOOD MATTERS | THE BEST CHOICE

Map of Stanley indicating best choice food options.

The best choice These outlets sell healthier foods and include fruit and vegetable markets, supermarkets, and butchers.

The second choice These outlets include restaurants, canteens, takeaway shops, bakeries, caterers and fast-food franchises, and sell more processed food.

FOOD MATTERS | CHOOSE WELL AND BE SMART

Access to affordable, fresh, and good-quality food in the local neighbourhood is very important. This is particularly true for fresh fruit, vegetables and lean meat.

Good access to these foods is associated with healthier dietary patterns.

We explored people's access to food outlets in Circular Head based on socio-economic status (SES). This included information regarding coverage, variety, density and proximity to food outlets.

Overall, we found considerable variety across different population density categories and SES. Only a very small proportion of food outlets in Circular Head sells predominantly healthy foods (i.e., Best choice outlets). Similarly, only a small proportion of households are within a reasonable walking distance from these outlets (i.e., 5-10 min walk away).

In contrast, food outlets selling energy-dense, highly processed food (i.e., Second choice outlets) are located much closer to households.

FOOD MATTERS | THINGS TO REMEMBER

Eating healthy food is important.

For far too many people, including those who have less resources, healthy food can be out of reach.

Good quality fresh food may be out of reach because it's too expensive or some people don't have easy access.

Learn, educate, change

There is a strong link between low fruit and vegetable availability and increased risk of poor health outcomes.

Previous research has highlighted that wealthier areas have greater purchasing power, more supermarkets and less fast food outlets.

Given the demographics and physical layout of Smithton and Stanley, it is likely that a combination of these factors define the food environment of the local government area.

We recommend an increase in nutrition education, improvements in public transport to connect neighbourhoods with healthy food outlets, and greater community awareness of these outlets.

CONTACT

US

https://www.utas.edu.au/health/community-programs/capitol