AFGC welcomes release of National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey

9 September 2025

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) welcomes the release of the latest National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an essential resource for shaping evidence-based health policy in Australia. 

This comprehensive survey, conducted between January 2023 and March 2024, collected data from people aged two years and over, providing insights into dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours. It involved participants recalling all the food and drink they consumed over a 24-hour period (on two separate days) and wearing activity monitors to record physical activity. 

Quotes from AFGC’s Dr Duncan Craig, Director, Nutrition and Regulation: 

“The NNPAS is a cornerstone of public health research in Australia. Last done in 2011-12, this survey provides up to date, robust, scientific data on how people in Australia eat, move, and live.” 

“Importantly, it recognises nutrition and physical activity are deeply interconnected and must be considered together when developing health policy and industry initiatives.” 

“As an industry, we are committed to supporting people in achieving balanced diets and active lifestyles.”

“The insights from this survey will guide our ongoing work with government, health professionals, and communities to improve public health outcomes. While there is still work to be done, data reveals significant positive shifts in consumer intakes over the last decade, including:

• decreased contribution to average daily energy intake from discretionary foods to 31.3%, down from 35.4% in 2011-12.
• free sugars made up 8.2 per cent of total energy, within the World Health Organization recommendation of less than 10 per cent and down from 11.0% in 2011–12.
• the proportion of people who drank sweetened beverages fell from 49.2 per cent in 1995 to 42.2 per cent in 2011–12 and then to 28.9 per cent in 2023.”

“The AFGC continues to support initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles, including reformulation efforts to reduce sugar, sodium, and saturated fat in foods and beverages, and efforts to help consumers make informed choices through effective labelling.

“Food and beverage manufacturers remain committed to engaging with stakeholders to translate these findings into practical, impactful actions that benefit all people in Australia.

“These results are more than just numbers, they are a positive signal indicating that Australians are making smarter choices, and the industry stepping up to support them.”

Media Contact:
Ingrid Cruz
Media@afgc.org.au