Food consumption of parents on low incomes

In the Redfern area in metropolitan Sydney, there are many people on low incomes living in public housing. To investigate their nutritional status, a sample of 60 parents in this area was interviewed; 51 participants completed a food frequency questionnaire. Participants also completed weighed food records. The weighed food records showed energy intakes lower than expenditure calculated as necessary to maintain body weight (as estimated by the Schofield equation and activity factor). Therefore, the data are unlikely to be accurate and are not reported here. The food-frequency questionnaire indicated energy intakes close to those required to maintain body weight. Recorded nutrient intakes were similar to those recorded in other Australian studies. Fat supplied 35.6 per cent of the energy in the diets of the sample, compared to 37.3 per cent in the National Dietary Survey. Although the results were obtained by convenience sampling and may not be representative, the results do suggest that some parents on low incomes are able to maintain nutrient intake similar to that of the wider community.