Abstract
Although the role of individual macronutrients in the development of obesity remains controversial, changes in macronutrient composition of the diet may have played a causal role in the obesity epidemic. The aim of this analysis was to determine the percentage energy (%E) for protein, carbohydrate and fat of Australian adults’ diets over time. Cross-sectional, national nutrition surveys from 1983, 1995 and 2012 assessed diet using one 24 h recall. The prevalence of obesity increased between each survey, from 9.6% to 19.7% and 27.7%. Protein (%E) differed between each survey and contributed 17.7%, 16.8% and 18.3% energy in 1983, 1995 and 2012, respectively (p < 0.001). Carbohydrate (%E) increased from 40.0% in 1983 to 44.9% in 1995 (p < 0.001), with no change in dietary fibre but declined in 2012 to 43.1%. Fat (%E) declined between each survey from 35.3%, 31.9%, to 30.9%, respectively (p < 0.001). Alcohol (%E) has declined for younger adults and men but intake increased for women aged >45 years. Prospective cohort studies with comprehensive assessment of foods consumed, together with measurements of weight and height, will advance the understanding of the relationship between macronutrients and changes in body weight and obesity.
Highlights
In 2015, it was estimated that globally 603.7 million adults (12%) were obese [1]
The causes of obesity are multi-factorial and complex, but broadly, weight gain is caused by energy imbalance when energy expenditure is insufficient to match dietary energy intake [3]
The NNS-1995 and NNPAS-2011/12 were both conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Summary
In 2015, it was estimated that globally 603.7 million adults (12%) were obese [1]. Despite concerted attempts to stop the progression of the obesity epidemic, increases in the prevalence of obesity in adults have been witnessed and it is predicted obesity will continue to rise in the future without effective intervention [2]. Determining effective solutions to prevent further increases is paramount to resolving the obesity epidemic and ensuring the health of the population. Increases in incident obesity have been attributed to reductions in physical activity and changes in dietary patterns [4,5]. There have been observed widespread changes in the food supply that coincide with the obesity epidemic
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