 A study has found that four million Australians (one in four) are on a weight loss diet or program, or intend to start one over.1 This figure jumps to nearly one in three for women.
Although these figures might indicate Australians are taking action against the nation’s growing obesity epidemic, the new survey results may also help explain why dieting fails for so many.
The results are worrying health experts who say the constant stream of new diet crazes and celebrity-endorsed fads are in danger of becoming ‘accepted fact’.
Karen Inge, Accredited Practising Dietitian, said diet fads are clouding the average consumer’s judgement when choosing which foods to include in a diet for healthy weight loss.
“Results from this national survey should sound a warning bell for Australian health authorities,” Ms Inge said.
“If people are confused about the basics of a nutritious diet, and believe cutting carbohydrates from their daily intake is a healthy option, they’re going to have trouble when it comes to choosing the right foods for themselves and their family,” she said.
The good news from the survey is that virtually all Australians correctly advocate doing more exercise (99%) and following a low-fat diet (91%) as strategies to help a person lose weight, and most (90%) frown upon skipping meals for weight loss.
Carb confusion
However, many Australians still believe reducing carbohydrate is an effective approach to losing weight. This is despite the fact there’s no evidence carbohydrate foods are more fattening than any other food group.
Eleven million Australians (69%) believe following a low carbohydrate diet would help a person lose weight, while half the population (50%) believe the myth that not eating carbohydrates after 5pm is a helpful way to diet. These figures are even higher among those Australians currently on a diet, or intending to diet, over summer.
“The misconception that carbs are fattening seems to be entrenched in the thinking of many Australians, and particularly dieters, despite the fact there is no scientific evidence. When it comes to a strategy such as ‘not eating carbs after 5pm’ as a way to lose weight, this is nothing more than ‘voodoo’ science. There’s no evidence that cutting carbohydrate foods out after 5pm would help with weight loss any more than cutting back on any other food group after 5pm.
“The best approach when trying to lose weight is to maintain a balanced diet with a focus on low fat foods - especially saturated fats - reduced kilojoule intake throughout the day, and more exercise,” Ms Inge said.
GI useful, but not in isolation
Although many Australians (69%) said choosing foods based on their GI rating would help a person lose weight, the study found confusion regarding the use of GI.
Only half (55%) of those who said that using a food’s GI rating would help a person lose weight correctly understood the role of GI in weight management. Of the remainder, one third (35%) were not sure whether they should be eating mostly high GI foods or low GI foods, and a further 10 per cent incorrectly said they should be eating mostly high GI foods.
Ms Trish Griffiths, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Executive Manager of Go Grains Health and Nutrition2, said a food’s GI rating can be helpful when making food choices, but the fact that people are confused indicates they may be cutting out healthy carbohydrate foods when they shouldn’t be.
“Used in conjunction with information about the nutritional value of foods, GI can be a useful guide. But it’s important to remember a healthy diet can include both high and low GI foods, because many healthy foods can actually have a moderate to high GI rating.”
Wholegrains popular
 The Newspoll survey also found the majority of Australians (58%) correctly believe a person should not cut back on wholegrain bread at all when trying to lose weight - a response that’s in accord with official dietary guidelines.
“It’s encouraging that most Australians correctly associate wholegrain foods with improvements in health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, bowel cancer and weight management,” Ms Griffiths said.
What should Australians be eating?
Australian dietary guidelines recommend we eat plenty of breads and cereals, preferably wholegrain, plus vegetables, legumes and fruits.
The guidelines recommend eating at least four serves of grain-based foods each day (one serve is two slices of bread, OR one cup of cooked rice or pasta, OR one cup of cooked porridge / flaked breakfast cereal). Half of these serves should be wholegrain.
The secret to successful weight loss
Karen Inge said those who have the most success in losing weight and keeping it off:
- Follow a low-fat, nutritious carbohydrate-rich diet
- Eat breakfast to control appetite during the day
- Enjoy a range of foods from all the food groups
- Weigh themselves regularly
- Keep active and exercise regularly
1. This Newspoll study was conducted by telephone in Nov 2006 among a representative sample of 1200 adults aged 18+ nationally.
2. Go Grains Health and Nutrition Limited is the leading independent nutrition advisor in Australia for grain foods in human health.
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