Discretionary intake among Australian adults: prevalence of intake, top food groups, time of consumption and its association with sociodemographic, lifestyle and adiposity measures

Objective: To profile discretionary food and beverage (DF) consumption among Australian adults.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Dietary and sociodemographic data were used to profile DF intake. Prevalence of DF consumption, DF servings (1 serving=600 kJ), nutrient contribution from DF and top DF food groups by self-reported eating occasions were determined. DF consumers (>0 g) were classified according to quartile of DF intake and general linear models adjusted for age and sex were used to determine associations.

Setting: 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS).

Participants: Adults aged >= 19 years (n 9341) who participated in the NNPAS 2011-12.

Results: Most adults consumed DF (98 %) and over 60 % exceeded 3 DF servings/d, with a mean of 5.0 (se 0.0) DF servings/d. Cakes, muffins, scones, cake-type desserts contributed the most DF energy (8.4 %) of all food groups, followed by wines (8.1 %), pastries (8.0 %) and beers (6.1 %), with all these food groups consumed in large portions (2.3-3.0 DF servings). Lunch and dinner together contributed 45 % of total DF energy intake. High DF consumers had an average of 10 DF servings, and this group contained more younger adults, males, low socio-economic status, lower usual fruit intake and higher mean waist circumference, but not higher BMI.

Conclusions: A focus on DF consumed in large portions at lunch and dinner may help improve interventions aimed at reducing DF intake and addressing negative adiposity-related measures found in high DF consumers.