Queenslanders eat less veggies than anyone in the country

Queenslanders are being hospitalised for diet deficiencies so severe they lead to Victorian-era diseases such as scurvy and rickets.

Queenslanders are being hospitalised for diet deficiencies so severe they lead to Victorian-era diseases, such as scurvy and rickets, with shock new data revealing adults in the state eat fewer vegetables than anyone in the country.

The cost-of-living crisis has also worsened the state’s obesity crisis, with Queensland now having the second-highest rate of obesity nationally, as shoppers bypass the fresh food aisles in supermarkets and head directly to cheaper pre-packaged foods.

The damning snapshot of the state’s health has been ­released by the Health and Wellbeing Queensland, the state’s prevention agency.

Only one in 15 Australians eat enough vegetables (6.5 per cent) and only 3.5 per cent meet the recommended intake of both fruit and vegetables.

The Northern Territory is the only area worse than Queensland.

Senior public health nutritionist Rebecca Farletti said the cost-of-living crisis was fast becoming a health hazard.

“A poor diet leads to more than weight gain,” Ms Farletti said.

“Severe deficiencies can develop and lead to poor health.

“The cost of living is playing a part in people avoiding the fresh food areas of supermarkets where you find the fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh meat.

“We know that Australian families are spending half of their food budget on discretionary non-healthy food.”

Kate Pegg shops at All About Fruit in New Farm Village. Picture: Josh Woning

Queensland Health data showed that last year there were 17 recorded cases of Queenslanders being admitted to hospital with the principal diagnosis of ascorbic acid deficiency, which can ultimately lead to scurvy, and nine who needed inpatient care for severe vitamin D deficiency, which can develop into rickets.

Dietitians Association of Australia spokeswoman Kate Di Prima said: “If people are being hospitalised for these deficiencies it is very concerning as there would be many people in the community who are also suffering, but simply have not been diagnosed.

“Back in Victorian times people developed these ­diseases because of food insecurity. Today the supply is there, but it is becoming unaffordable,” she said.

“I did my own bit of research last weekend. I was in the supermarket and watched 30 people enter.

“Of those, 28 turned left out of the fresh food section into tinned and packaged products.

“That’s disturbing.”

Premier Steven Miles is ­expected to meet with chief executives from Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi this month to discuss the high costs of locally grown fruit and vegetables at the till.

New Farm resident Kate Pegg said that she still bought fruit for her family despite the increase in price.

“I have definitely noticed an increase in the price of fruit, but everything has gone up with it, so everything is hurting at the moment,” she said.

“I am not surprised that Queenslanders eat less fruit than other states, it is interesting though – considering that we do produce the most.”

Originally published as Queenslanders eat less veggies than anyone in the country