As the global population grows and ages, understanding dietary habits becomes increasingly important, particularly in light of the rise in processed food consumption.
This study investigates variations in food intake across the Australian population by analysing biomarkers found in pooled, anonymised urine samples collected through pathology networks. These biomarkers serve as objective indicators of dietary patterns, offering valuable insight into the nutritional health of communities across diverse regions and demographic groups.
By identifying trends in food intake biomarkers, we aim to examine how diet correlates with key sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic remoteness as well as long-term. These patterns can highlight population groups at higher risk of poor nutrition, helping inform targeted public health strategies.
Building on established research, this project employs advanced analytical techniques to study pooled urine samples, a method that provides robust, population-level data while protecting individual privacy. The findings will support a more comprehensive understanding of food-related health disparities across Australia.
