MACRONUTRIENTS

Dietary energy is derived from the macronutrient content of foods. The energy yielding macronutrients are: protein, fat, carbohydrate and alcohol, with small amounts of additional energy provided by dietary fibre and organic acids. Imbalances in the proportion of energy derived from macronutrients are associated with increased risk of chronic diseases. There is however, a wide range in which the macronutrient balance is considered acceptable for managing chronic disease risk. Reference ranges known as Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) form part of the recommendations for optimising diets in order to lower chronic disease risk while ensuring adequate micronutrient status.¹

The average proportion of energy intake from protein, fat, and carbohydrate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was within the bounds of the AMDRs². Carbohydrate contributed the largest proportion of energy intake (46%), which is at the lower end of the recommended intake range (Carbohydrate AMDR 45%-65%). Based on a single day's intake it is not possible to estimate the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have usual intakes that were below the AMDR. However, people in older adult age groups (31-50 years and 51 years and over) had averages that were below the lower limit of the AMDR, indicating that carbohydrate contribution to energy was less than 45% for part of this population. The 51 years and over age group had the lowest proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates at 43%. Whilst this age group was within the AMDRs for protein (18.8%) and fat (31.8%), the fat contribution was at the higher end of the AMDR scale (see Table 2.1 and Table 2.3).



Was there a difference by remoteness?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote areas derived a greater proportion of energy from protein compared with those living in non-remote areas (20% compared with 18%). This aligns with higher consumption of Meat, poultry and game products by people in remote areas. However, total fat contribution is slightly lower in remote areas at 30% contribution to energy, compared with 32% in non-remote areas (see Table 2.1).

How did this compare with non-Indigenous people?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people derived similar amounts of their daily energy intake from Protein, Total Fat, Carbohydrates and Alcohol. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people derived less of their energy from dietary fibre compared with non-Indigenous people (1.8% and 2.2% respectively).

ENDNOTES

1. National Health and Medical Research Council 2006, Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand, Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council <http://www.nrv.gov.au/chronic-disease/macronutrient-balance>, Last accessed 20/02/2015.
2. Please refer to Glossary for definitions.