Information 1-4

  • Performed to identify poor eating habits and prevent future chronic conditions by providing Diet and nutrition brief intervention

Health check recommendations

  • All people > 15 years of age opportunistically (at least every 2 years) or when clinically indicated
  • All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people > 15 years of age annually

1. Procedure

  • Ask the person the questions according to Table 1.
  • Establish the person’s dietary intake and provide brief intervention
  • Determine if the person requires a referral and place on a follow-up and recall register

Table 1. Age related nutrition questions

Questions

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All people > 15 years of age

What did the person eat and drink yesterday?

  • Asking what was eaten the previous day helps determine a dietary pattern
  • For details of serve sizes and examples see Diet and nutrition

Is the person always able to access food?

plus for all those > 55 years of age

How many meals did the person eat yesterday?

  • Is there enough food? Access to food?

2. Results

  • To have the best chance of living a healthy chronic conditions free life, all people are recommended to maintain a healthy Diet and nutrition, page 29

3. Brief intervention

  1. Encourage 1–4
    • Plenty of varieties of fruit and vegetables
    • Wholegrain or high fibre breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley
    • Lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds, legumes and beans
    • Reduced fat milk, yoghurt, cheese and other dairy alternatives
    • Drink plenty of water as the only fluid intake
    • Foods containing polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (olive oils, spreads, nut butters/pastes and avocado). Provide Resources 1-4.
  2. Avoid or limit 1–4
    • Foods high in saturated fat; biscuits, cakes, pastries, pies, processed meats, hamburgers, pizza, fried foods, potato chips and other savoury snacks
    • Foods containing added salt
    • Drinks high in sugars; energy, sports and soft drinks, cordials, fruit juice, vitamin waters
    • Alcohol. Women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is the safest option. Provide Resources 1-4.

4. Referral

  • Refer to community nutrition team and dietitian

5. Follow-up

  • Place the person on a recall register if required
  • Ensure all referrals are actioned
  • Provide the person with details for the next scheduled follow-up appointment

6. References

7. Resources

  1. Eat for Health resources
  2. Australian Dietary Guidelines
  3. Queensland Government diet and nutrition resources
  4. Queensland Government Healthier. Happier

Last updated: September 2024

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