Public Health Nutrition Needs Assessment Report: NUTR2007

This report delves into the multifaceted realm of public health nutrition, commencing with an exploration of its core components within both national and international frameworks. It meticulously examines the dynamics of obesity and metabolic diseases, dissecting their global and domestic origins, far-reaching consequences, and potential solutions. The report further investigates the application of health nutrition policies, principles, and frameworks to devise effective intervention plans, culminating in a critical evaluation of contemporary public health nutrition priorities and initiatives. The study highlights the prevalence of obesity in Australia, discussing contributing factors such as overeating, high-calorie intake, and physical inactivity. It advocates for intervention plans and public education to combat these issues, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits and lifestyle modifications to prevent and manage metabolic diseases, and the role of government initiatives in promoting healthy eating and reducing nutrition-related diseases. The report concludes by underscoring the need for long-term commitment to healthy habits and the crucial role of public health nutrition in providing essential knowledge for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

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ubli ealt and utritionP c H h N February 24
2020

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Introduction
Public health nutrition is the science and art of preventing diseases and help people
maintain their health. Public health nutrition provides information to the public (Pearson,
Palaniappan, & Artinian, 2013). Nutrition is the process of consuming foods that are easy to
digest for the body. Public health nutrition attempts to improve and sustain the nutritional health
of the whole population (Health, 2010). This report will discuss the essential components of
national and international public health nutritional program. This report will highlight global and
domestic causes, consequences, and solutions to obesity and metabolic diseases. Further, it will
discuss the health nutrition policies, principles, and frameworks to improve public health
nutrition. In last this repost will evaluate public health nutrition priorities and initiatives.
National and International public health nutrition program
Public health nutrition states information regarding the national and international
population. This program discusses improvements in food and nutrition. This program analyzes
about diet and public health nutrition. Public health nutrition intends to improve the nutritional
status of the population nationally and internationally (Hercberg, Castetbon, Czernichow, &
Malon, 2010). It also emphasizes disease prevention and promotes a healthy lifestyle. It focuses
on promoting health in society. This program works on the main basic elements that are health
promotion, capacity building, and public health policy. This program is handled by the
government. The government tries to strengthen the health information and research system.
Three main components of public health nutrition are assessment, action, and assurance
Assessment
It is essential to evaluate nutritional status nationally and internationally. The objective of
this component is to identify the health risks present in the population. This component allows
identifying the food gaps or food insecurities that exist in the population.
Action
After getting aware of the risk or disease present in the population this component allows
the government to take action or make policies regarding solving risk.

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Assurance
Assurance in public health nutrition is to safeguard appropriate nutritional care through
programs and services.
Increasing obesity in Australia
Obesity is a medical condition that can be identified if a person is carrying excess weight
or fat. Obesity causes many diseases such as heart disease, breathing problems, or knee pains,
etc. In Australia, the proportion of people that are obese has risen 27% in 10 years (News, 2019).
Major public health issue: obesity and overweight Australians
The major health-related issues determined by public health nutrition programs are
alcohol-related harms, packed food infections, lack of physical activity, obesity, and drug
overdose. In 2017-18, the Australian Bureau of Statistics' national health survey showed that
two-thirds of Australian adults were overweight, almost one-quarter of children aged 5-17 were
obese in 2017-2018 (Overweight and Obesity, 2019). The global cause of this health- issue is
overeating, high intake of calories, and physical inactivity (Probst-Hensch, 2011). Humans
always keep their work as their priority. Because of their work, their health gets neglected and
this also the major cause of weight gain in Australians.
Overeating
Adults and children both practice overeating. According to studies, 4% of males and
females have binge eating disorder. The food consumed during compulsive feeling is often very
sugary or salty that is high on calories and high-calorie foods can lead to weight gain. Improving
diet and eating habits can help cure obesity.
High intake of calories
Weight gain and obesity have become common, adults and kids have become less active
and more careless that have contributed to weight gain and obesity in kids and adults. The main
reason for the increase in calories in the human diet is the vast and easy availability of packed
foods. Foods like pizza, burger, pasta, and bread have become famous and are very high on

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carbohydrates and calories. Changing lifestyle and food habits are extremely essential to
maintain health.
Physical inactivity
Kids and adults both neglect workouts. It is essential to work out on daily basis, if not
daily it is essential to practice a moderate level physical activity to burn extra calories that the
body has consumed to keep one-self fit and free from obesity.
A solution to metabolic diseases: the only way to cure metabolic disease is to eat better. People
with metabolic syndrome should adopt a diet that is rich in whole grains and vegetables. This
will help them lose weight.
Intervention plans
Public health interventions save lives and reduce disabilities in public. The government
focuses on public health nutrition as a discipline. The common health issues are obesity, heart
diseases, and nutrition deficiency. National health policies, strategies, and plans are a dynamic
process. These plans, policies, and strategies help prevent many health-related issues. World
health organization health has a long track on health-related policies, strategies, and plans
preventing diseases and promoting a healthy lifestyle (Petersen, 2010). Innervations aids in. The
public should take basic health measures that can help prevent diseases.
Public education
People are not aware of the risks present in their unhealthy lifestyles. Educating people
about healthy lifestyle measures can help prevent them from diseases. Obesity and weight gain
can lead to heart diseases, diabetes, and many more serious health issues.
Daily healthy habits
Most people neglect basic health cycles such as keeping a check on the food intervals
before and after eating. Lower the consumption of drinks that has sugar it in. Sugar boosts
energy for a very short period and after that time is passed body again loses energy. Basic
interventions that can be made by the public are people can avoid eating fried food or junk food.
Despite being busy the whole day people should take out time for moderate level exercise.

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Health research and actions aids in making policies that shape and improve public health
positively. Health policies have witnessed many hurdles in their attempt to make people live a
healthy life.
The Eat well program
Public health nutrition focuses on promoting good health through nutrition and taking
corrective measures. Australia commenced the "The Eat well" strategy that involved two
components. Eat well Australia involved an agenda to make policies for public health nutrition
and national aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition strategy and action plan. Public health
nutrition aims to promote the value of nutrition among the population (Governemnet, 2011). It is
said that eating nutritious meals helps in curing obesity, weight gain, and heart diseases
(Mohamed, 2014). Nutrition experts can build nutrition programs for the patients; provide diet-
health plans and education on balanced nutrition (Schlenker & Gilbert, 2015). Public health
nutrition holds a general approach that focuses on research on disease prevention and
maintaining the quality of life.
Priorities and initiatives
The Australian government will also try to improve nutrition-related health outcomes.
The Australian government also took initiative for people that are suffering from obesity and
weight gain. The government took the national leadership role to promote healthy eating habits
for people living in Australia. The Australian government has decided to improve the health and
well-being of the population (Swinburn & Wood, 2013). They will try and reduce the prevalence
of nutrition-related diseases. Public health nutrition will help you decide what to eat for living a
healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
Good nutritional habits and a balanced diet cannot be developed in a day. Healthy living
is a combination of many things such as good nutrition, regular exercise, and patience. Many
things will help you improve your quality of life. Public health nutrition will aid you with
knowledge about essential foods required for the body to function properly. Obesity or metabolic

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disease takes time to get better it is essential to develop healthy habits. In contrast, a poor diet or
health habits can lead to health problems that can get converted into long-term illness.

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References
Overweight and Obesity. (2019, June 19). Retrieved February 24, 2020, from Department of
Health: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Overweight-
and-Obesity
Governemnet, A. (2011, December 7). Eat Well Be Active Strategy 2011-16. Retrieved February
29, 2020, from sahealth.sa.gov.au:
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/
protecting+public+health/preventative+health+and+wellbeing/
eat+well+be+active+strategy+2011-16
Health, G. B. (2010). Healthy lives, healthy people: Our strategy for public health in England.
The Stationery Office.
Hercberg, S., Castetbon, K., Czernichow, S., & Malon. (2010). The Nutrient-Santé Study: a web-
based prospective study on the relationship between nutrition and health and
determinants of dietary patterns and nutritional status. BMC public health, 242.
Mohamed, S. (2014). Functional foods against metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes,
hypertension, and dyslipidemia) and cardiovascular disease. Trends in Food Science &
Technology, 114-128.
News, A. (2019, October 11). Obesity rates are rising in Australia, but it's where you live that
matters. Retrieved March 02, 2020, from ABC News:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2019-10-11/obesity-rates-depend-on-where-you-
live/10196154
Pearson, T., Palaniappan, L., & Artinian, N. (2013). American Heart Association Guide for
Improving Cardiovascular Health at the Community Level, 2013 update: a scientific
statement for public health practitioners, healthcare providers, and health policymakers.
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Petersen, P. E. (2010). The 7th WHO Global Conference on Health Promotion-towards
integration of oral health (Nairobi, Kenya 2009). Community Dent Health, 129-136.

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Probst-Hensch, N. T. (2011). Prevention: a cost-effective way to fight the non-communicable
disease epidemic. Swiss medical weekly.
Schlenker, E., & Gilbert, J. A. (2015). Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Swinburn, B., & Wood, A. (2013). Progress on obesity prevention over 20 years in Australia and
New Zealand. Obesity Reviews, 60-68.