Many people believe eating healthily is expensive—and more costly than buying junk foods. But our new research, published in the BMC Pubic Health, shows this isn't the truth.

Most of the Australian family food budget(预算)is being spent on junk foods and drinks that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Less than 7% of Australians eat healthily. The Australian adults get at least 35% of their energy from junk foods and drinks. As a result, two-thirds of adults (63%) and one-quarter of children are overweight.

We used the Australian Health Survey 2011—2013 and the suggestions of the Australian Dietary Guidelines to model healthy diets for a family of two adults and two children every two weeks. We collected food prices in supermarkets and stores in high and low-socioeconomic(社会经济地位低的)areas in Brisbane, and compared the diet prices with family incomes.

In both areas, a family of two adults and two children spend about 18% more on present diets than would be required to buy healthy diets. About 58% of the food budget for present diets is spent on junk foods, including takeaway foods(14%), and sugary drinks(4%).

In the low-socioeconomic area, a family of two adults and two children spend $640. 20 every two weeks on their present diets, but could buy a healthy diet for $560. 93 every two weeks. In the high-socioeconomic area, these numbers are $661. 92 and $580. 01.

Supermarket food prices were about 3% higher in the high-socioeconomic location. Takeaway foods were also relatively more expensive, but sugary drinks were priced similarly in both areas.

Present diets cost more than healthy diets, so it is surely not the price that helps to drive preferences for unhealthy choices.

1.What did the researchers find?

A.Most Australians eat unhealthily.

B.Most Australian kids have fat problems.

C.Half Australians live on junk foods.

D.Australians have a preference for sweet foods.

2.How did the researchers get the result?

A.By carrying out interviews.

B.By doing the study online.

C.By making a comparison.

D.By asking personal questions.

3.What can we learn from Paragraph 5?

A.Australian foods are healthier.

B.A healthy diet is actually cheaper.

C.Health foods are becoming more expensive.

D.People choose junk foods for their low prices.

4.What might the following paragraph be about?

A.The harm of junk foods.

B.How we can eat healthily.

C.The advantages of a healthy diet.

D.Why people choose junk foods.

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