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Changes in Environmental Footprints Associated with Dietary Intake of Lebanese Adolescents between the Years 1997 and 2009

Author

Listed:
  • Farah Naja

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Nahla Hwalla

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Anas El Zouhbi

    (Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Nada Abbas

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Marie Claire Chamieh

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Lara Nasreddine

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

  • Lamis Jomaa

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon)

Abstract

Despite global efforts to promote healthy and sustainable diets, the nutrition transition witnessed among adolescents worldwide poses serious threats to health and environmental sustainability. The present study aimed to assess the change in environmental footprints (EFPs) associated with dietary intakes of adolescents in Lebanon between 1997 and 2009. Data of Lebanese adolescents (10–19 years old) were drawn from national food consumption surveys during two time periods (1997, n = 451; 2009, n = 527). Dietary assessments were conducted using 24-h dietary recalls. EFP metrics, including water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), were derived using review of existing life-cycle analyses. All EFPs increased significantly between 1997 and 2009; meat and sugar-sweetened beverages were the top contributors to the increase in these EFPs. The changes in EFPs between the two years remained significant even after adjustment for energy and other correlates: water (β = 267.7, CI: 123.5; 411.9); energy (β = 4.3, CI: 2.09; 6.52) and GHG (β = 0.44, CI: 0.11; 0.76). Findings show significant dietary shifts among adolescents that can threaten the environmental sustainability of Lebanese diets. Interventions across the food system are needed to promote adherence to healthy and sustainable diets among adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Farah Naja & Nahla Hwalla & Anas El Zouhbi & Nada Abbas & Marie Claire Chamieh & Lara Nasreddine & Lamis Jomaa, 2020. "Changes in Environmental Footprints Associated with Dietary Intake of Lebanese Adolescents between the Years 1997 and 2009," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4519-:d:366449
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farah Naja & Leila Itani & Rena Hamade & Marie Claire Chamieh & Nahla Hwalla, 2019. "Mediterranean Diet and Its Environmental Footprints Amid Nutrition Transition: The Case of Lebanon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Benjamin Goldstein & Morten Birkved & John Fernández & Michael Hauschild, 2017. "Surveying the Environmental Footprint of Urban Food Consumption," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(1), pages 151-165, February.
    3. A. Ercin & Maite Aldaya & Arjen Hoekstra, 2011. "Corporate Water Footprint Accounting and Impact Assessment: The Case of the Water Footprint of a Sugar-Containing Carbonated Beverage," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(2), pages 721-741, January.
    4. Leach, Allison M. & Emery, Kyle A. & Gephart, Jessica & Davis, Kyle F. & Erisman, Jan Willem & Leip, Adrian & Pace, Michael L. & D’Odorico, Paolo & Carr, Joel & Noll, Laura Cattell & Castner, Elizabet, 2016. "Environmental impact food labels combining carbon, nitrogen, and water footprints," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 213-223.
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    1. Lamis Jomaa & Lara Nasreddine & Farah Naja & Lara Chehade & Nahla Hwalla, 2021. "Sustainable, Healthy and Affordable Diets for Children in Lebanon: A Call for Action in Dire Times," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, November.

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