The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of key information on diet and nutrition among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia to: (1) inform those involved or interested in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and nutrition; and (2) provide the evidence for those involved in policy, strategy and program development and delivery. The review provides general information on the historical, social and cultural context of nutrition, and the environmental and behavioural factors that contribute to poor diet and nutrition among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It provides detailed information on food, diet and nutritional health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and links to incidence and prevalence data of diet-related conditions; morbidity, mortality and burden of disease. This review highlights the importance of nutrition promotion and the prevention of diet- related disease, and provides information on relevant programs, services, policies and strategies that help improve food supply, diet and nutritional health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It concludes by discussing possible future directions for combatting the growing epidemic of diet-related ill health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

This review draws mostly on journal publications, government reports, national data collections and national surveys, the majority of which can be accessed through the HealthInfoNet’s Bibliography.