Relationship between discretionary food intake and sex, body image, health, and geographical remoteness among Indigenous Australian adolescents

Michelle Blumfield; Andrew McConnell; Peter Petocz; Anika Rouf; Emily Duve; Scott B Teasdale; Skye Marshall; Flavia Fayet-Moore

doi:10.1111/1747-0080.12732

Relationship between discretionary food intake and sex, body image, health, and geographical remoteness among Indigenous Australian adolescents

Nutr Diet. 2023 Feb;80(1):73-84. doi: 10.1111/1747-0080.12732. Epub 2022 Mar 15.

Authors

Michelle Blumfield¹, Andrew McConnell¹, Peter Petocz^{1

2}, Anika Rouf¹, Emily Duve³, Scott B Teasdale¹, Skye Marshall^{1

4}, Flavia Fayet-Moore⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Science, Nutrition Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Department of Statistics, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Department of Translational Science, Nutrition Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
⁵ Department of Science, Nutrition Research Australia, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 35293114
DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12732

Abstract

Aim: Determine the discretionary energy intake of Indigenous Australian adolescents and its relationship with sex, body image, health, and geographical remoteness.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2012 to 2013 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 264, 15-17 years). Dietary data were collected using an Automated Multiple-Pass Method, anthropometric data by trained interviewers; self-perceived measures of body weight, level of satisfaction with current weight, and self-assessed health were self-reported. General linear models were used to investigate predictors.

Results: Discretionary energy intake contributed 35.4% and 54.2% of total energy intake for males and females, respectively, primarily from the sub-groups: soft drinks; pastries; potatoes; sugar, honey and syrups; cordials; and potato snacks. Discretionary energy intake was associated with higher energy intake (p < 0.001) and self-perceived body weight (p = 0.022), while sex had significant interactions with self-assessed health (p_sex = 0.005), satisfaction with current weight (p_sex < 0.001), and geographical remoteness (p_sex = 0.007). Contribution of discretionary energy intake to total energy intake was greatest for males with an increased risk of metabolic complications (50% vs. 37%; p > 0.05), those who perceived themselves to be overweight (56% vs. 27%; p < 0.001), and those who were dissatisfied with their weight (56% vs. 19%; p < 0.001), compared to females. No differences were found by dieting status, risk of metabolic complications, and under-reporting of energy intake.

Conclusions: Discretionary energy intake was excessive among Indigenous Australian adolescents and had relationships with self-perceived health, weight satisfaction, and geographical remoteness, which was moderated by sex. To successfully reduce discretionary food intake among Indigenous Australian adolescents, further research is required to develop sex specific and culturally appropriate strategies.

Keywords: Indigenous; adolescent; body image; diet; population health; rural health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Australia
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples*
Body Image*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Eating
Female
Humans
Male
Overweight