Self-Reported Awareness and Adherence to Recommendations for Dietary Fat Amongst Australian Adults Aged 18–45 Years: Potential Relevance to Cardiovascular Health

Background: In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council provides Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADG) to support public understanding of dietary fat intake and its role in cardiovascular as well as overall health. However, little is known about how effectively these recommendations reach and influence the public. This study examined self-reported awareness and beliefs related to dietary fats, with a particular focus on adherence to NRVs and ADG. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using Qualtrics among Australian adults aged 18–45 years. Data were analysed using Stata. A total of 132 participants were included in the analysis. Results: The respondents were largely females (89%), 71% had a Bachelor’s degree or higher level of education, 90% had some form of employment and 93% were non-smokers. More than half the respondents reported being unaware of Australian dietary fat recommendations. Only 7% agreed that they followed these recommendations, while 37% reported the guidelines were difficult to access and 24% expressed uncertainty about their accessibility. Although most participants considered saturated fats as detrimental and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats as beneficial for health, awareness and adherence to national dietary fat recommendations remained low. Social media was the most frequently reported source of nutrition information (20%), exceeding healthcare professionals (14%). Conclusions: Overall, this survey demonstrates low self-reported awareness and adherence to national dietary fat recommendations and a greater reliance on social media than health professionals for sourcing nutrition information in our study sample. Strategies to improve the accessibility, visibility and communication of dietary fat recommendations may enhance public understanding and may support dietary behaviours beneficial for good overall and cardiovascular health.