Cereal fibre intake in Australia: a cross sectional analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey

Extensive evidence supports health benefits of cereal fibre, however globally no national intake

data exists. This study aimed to determine estimates of intake and food sources of cereal fibre,

and relationships to dietary fibre intake in an Australian sample population. A cereal fibre database

was applied to dietary intake data from the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity

Survey (n ¼ 12,153). Usual intake based on 2-day intake data was weighted to infer population

results. Median daily cereal fibre intake was 6.4 g/d (9.7 g/10 MJ/d) for adults (19–85 years) and

6.2 g/d (10.2 g/10 MJ/d) for children/adolescents (2–18 years). Individuals with the highest cereal

fibre intake were more likely to meet dietary fibre recommendations than those with the lowest

intake (males Q4: 17.1% Q1: 3.9%; females Q4: 20.3% Q1: 6.6%). Breakfast cereals, bread and

bread rolls provided the most cereal fibre. This study provides first quantification of cereal fibre

from all sources in an Australian national sample.