RESUMO
A random State-wide nutrition survey of the population of Victoria that was carried out in late 1985 demonstrated that the total fat and saturated fat intake of Australians had changed little since studies that were carried out in the 1970s. However, since that time, there has been a considerable increase in the contribution of polyunsaturated fats with a consequent improvement in the polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty-acid ratio in the diet. The survey was carried out by means of a postal technique and a semiquantified food-frequency questionnaire which allows for the characterization of usual dietary intake in individuals. The survey served to highlight the value of collecting nutrient, food and food-habits data in the same individuals and demonstrated that relatively cost-effective surveys of this type make feasible the regular continuing surveillance of the usual nutrient intakes of large numbers of individuals.