| Sumario: | The idea that many people in Australia may not have adequate access to 'sufficient food for an active and healthy life' is starting to be seriously considered by nutritionists. Food insecurity as a consequence of limited resources exists in Australia at a level likely to be over 5% of the general population and much higher among groups at risk. Groups known to suffer food insecurity include those in remote areas, indigenous people, homeless people, injecting drug users and those on low or insecure incomes. Young people, the elderly, single person households, unemployed people, disabled people and some immigrants and their families are therefore also likely to be at risk due to increased levels of relative poverty. Food insecurity has a high cost to individuals, families and society as a whole in terms of reduced physical, mental, spiritual and social health and wellbeing. Current research, practice and policy directions clearly indicate the need for comprehensive, intersectoral, integrated strategies that are based around community responses supported by state and national policy and funding directions. Strategies by which dietitians and nutritionists can help to prevent and ameliorate food insecurity include local and national level advocacy, policy making, education, research and community-based practice. The challenges for dietitians and their employing organisations to realise the mission of their professional organisation to achieve `better food, better health, better living for all' are many. They include an examination of skills, competencies and practices; development of strategic alliances and partnerships with other organisations; and improvement of our effectiveness as advocates for change.
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