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Environmental Impact of Dietary Choices: Role of the Mediterranean and Other Dietary Patterns in an Italian Cohort

Author

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  • Giuseppe Grosso

    (Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Ujué Fresán

    (CIBER-ESP, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra, 31003 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Maira Bes-Rastrollo

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    IdiSNA, Navarra’s Health Research Institute, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    CIBERobn, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Stefano Marventano

    (Department of Childhood and Adolescent, AUSL Romagna, Rimini Women’s Health, 47921 Rimini, Italy)

  • Fabio Galvano

    (Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

Background : Current scientific literature suggests healthy dietary patterns may have less environmental impact than current consumption patterns, but most of the studies rely on theoretical modeling. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on resources (land, water, and energy) use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of healthy dietary patterns in a sample of Italian adults. Methods: Participants ( n = 1806) were recruited through random sampling in the city of Catania, southern Italy. Dietary consumption was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ); dietary patterns were calculated through dietary scores. The specific environmental footprints of food item production/processing were obtained from various available life-cycle assessments; a sustainability score was created based on the impact of the four environmental components calculated. Results: The contribution of major food groups to the environmental footprint showed that animal products (dairy, egg, meat, and fish) represented more than half of the impact on GHG emissions and energy requirements; meat products were the stronger contributors to GHG emissions and water use, while dairy products to energy use, and cereals to land use. All patterns investigated, with the exception of the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH), were linearly associated with the sustainability score. Among the components, higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet and Alternate Diet Quality Index (AHEI) was associated with lower GHG emissions, dietary quality index-international (DQI-I) with land use, while Nordic diet with land and water use. Conclusions: In conclusion, the adoption of healthy dietary patterns involves less use of natural resources and GHG emissions, representing eco-friendlier options in Italian adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Grosso & Ujué Fresán & Maira Bes-Rastrollo & Stefano Marventano & Fabio Galvano, 2020. "Environmental Impact of Dietary Choices: Role of the Mediterranean and Other Dietary Patterns in an Italian Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1468-:d:324808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Tilman & Michael Clark, 2014. "Global diets link environmental sustainability and human health," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 518-522, November.
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    1. Alice Rosi & Beatrice Biasini & Michele Donati & Cristian Ricci & Francesca Scazzina, 2020. "Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Environmental Impact of the Diet on Primary School Children Living in Parma (Italy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Patrizia Ghisellini & Amos Ncube & Gloria Rotolo & Chiara Vassillo & Serena Kaiser & Renato Passaro & Sergio Ulgiati, 2023. "Evaluating Environmental and Energy Performance Indicators of Food Systems, within Circular Economy and “Farm to Fork” Frameworks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-38, February.
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    4. Sarah Cuschieri & Massimo Libra, 2020. "Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Maltese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Sara Baldassano & Anna Alioto & Alessandra Amato & Carlo Rossi & Giulia Messina & Maria Roberta Bruno & Roberta Stallone & Patrizia Proia, 2023. "Fighting the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mindfulness, Exercise, and Nutrition Practices to Reduce Eating Disorders and Promote Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Paula Grdeń & Anna Jakubczyk, 2023. "Bean Spread Enriched with Spelt as a Novel Source of Bioactive Peptides with Potential Anti-Metabolic Syndrome Properties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
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