scholarly journals Mediterranean Diet and its Environmental Footprints amid Nutrition Transition: The Case of Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naja ◽  
Itani ◽  
Hamade ◽  
Chamieh ◽  
Hwalla
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Environmental Footprints

Many Mediterranean countries, including Lebanon, are experiencing a shift in food consumption away from the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD), concomitant with the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases and dwindling environmental resources. Objective: to examine the adherence to the MD and its association with environmental footprints (EFPs), including water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, among Lebanese adults. Data of Lebanese adults were drawn from the national food consumption survey (n = 2610). Assessment of dietary intake was conducted using a food-frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the MD was examined using four published MD scores. Metrics for the EFPs were calculated using a review of existing life cycle assessments (LCAs). For all MD scores, less than 13% of participants were in the highest tertile. After adjustments for covariates, two of the MD scores were associated with lower water use. For GHG, significant inverse associations were observed with all MD scores. Energy use was not associated with MD scores. Overall, low adherence to the MD among Lebanese adults was observed, together with an inverse association between adherence to the MD and water use and GHG emissions. These findings support and enforce ongoing efforts that aim to increase adherence to the MD in order to address health issues, as well as tackle environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Sustainable, Healthy and Affordable Diets for Children in Lebanon: A Call for Action in Dire Times

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13245
Author(s):  
Lamis Jomaa ◽  
Lara Nasreddine ◽  
Farah Naja ◽  
Lara Chehade ◽  
Nahla Hwalla
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Environmental Footprints

Achieving sustainable, healthy diets remains a global challenge to meet the sustainable development agenda by 2030. The purpose of this study is to derive optimal dietary recommendations for children that consider nutritional, environmental, and economic parameters of sustainability, using Lebanon as a case study. Data from the latest national food consumption survey conducted among Lebanese children were used. Optimized diets were derived using Optimeal, a software that produces similar patterns to the usual diet while considering nutrition constraints (energy, and macro/micronutrient needs), environmental footprints ((EFPs): water use, energy use, and greenhouse emissions), and cost. Three optimized diets were derived that meet the nutritional needs of children aged 4–8, 9–13, and 14–18 years, while considering EFPs and cost. Compared to the usual intake, optimized diets included higher intake of vegetables, legumes and dairy, and a decrease in saturated oils, processed meats, sugar, salty snacks, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Overall, the optimized diets decreased cost by 20% and reduced water use, energy use, and GHG emissions, by 20%, 11%, and 22%, respectively. The proposed models consider various constraints and provide sustainable solutions for decision makers within a country undergoing crises.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Grosso ◽  
Ujué Fresán ◽  
Maira Bes-Rastrollo ◽  
Stefano Marventano ◽  
Fabio Galvano
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Impact

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.

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Blue Water Use of Dutch Diets and Its Association with Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 6027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reina E. Vellinga ◽  
Mirjam van de Kamp ◽  
Ido B. Toxopeus ◽  
Caroline T. M. van Rossum ◽  
Elias de Valk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Daily Diet

Food consumption patterns affect the environment as well as public health, and monitoring is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Dutch food consumption patterns for environmental (greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and blue water use) and health aspects (Dutch Healthy Diet index 2015), according to age, gender, and consumption moments. Food consumption data for 4313 Dutch participants aged 1 to 79 years were assessed in 2012 to 2016, by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls. The environmental impact of foods was quantified using a life cycle assessment for, e.g., indicators of GHG emissions and blue water use. The healthiness of diet, operationalized by the Dutch Healthy Diet index 2015, was assessed for 2078 adults aged ≥19 years. The average daily diet in the Netherlands was associated with 5.0 ± 2.0 kg CO2-equivalents of GHG emissions and 0.14 ± 0.08 m3 of blue water use. Meat, dairy and non-alcoholic beverages contributed most to GHG emissions, and non-alcoholic beverages, fruits, and meat to blue water use. More healthy diets were associated with a lower GHG emission and higher blue water use. Different associations of environmental indicators (GHG emissions and blue water use) with health aspects of diets need to be considered when aligning diets for health and sustainability.

scholarly journals Water impacts and water-climate goal conflicts of local energy choices – notes from a Swedish perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 376 ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecka Ericsdotter Engström ◽  
Mark Howells ◽  
Georgia Destouni
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Local Energy ◽  
Sustainable Energy System ◽  
Liquid Biofuel

Abstract. To meet both the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nations, sectors, counties and cities need to move towards a sustainable energy system in the next couple of decades. Such energy system transformations will impact water resources to varying extents, depending on the transformation strategy and fuel choices. Sweden is considered to be one of the most advanced countries towards meeting the SDGs. This paper explores the geographical origin of and the current water use associated with the supply of energy in the 21 regional counties of Sweden. These energy-related uses of water represent indirect, but still relevant, impacts for water management and the related SDG on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6). These indirect water impacts are here quantified and compared to reported quantifications of direct local water use, as well as to reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as one example of other types of environmental impacts of local energy choices in each county. For each county, an accounting model is set up based on data for the local energy use in year 2010, and the specific geographical origins and water use associated with these locally used energy carriers (fuels, heat and electricity) are further estimated and mapped based on data reported in the literature and open databases. Results show that most of the water use associated with the local Swedish energy use occurs outside of Sweden. Counties with large shares of liquid biofuel exhibit the largest associated indirect water use in regions outside of Sweden. This indirect water use for energy supply does not unambiguously correlate with either the local direct water use or the local GHG emissions, although for the latter, there is a tendency towards an inverse relation. Overall, the results imply that actions for mitigation of climate change by local energy choices may significantly affect water resources elsewhere. Swedish counties are thus important examples of localities with large geographic zones of water influence due to their local energy choices, which may compromise water security and the possibility to meet water-related global goals in other world regions.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4519
Author(s):  
Farah Naja ◽  
Nahla Hwalla ◽  
Anas El Zouhbi ◽  
Nada Abbas ◽  
Marie Claire Chamieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Food System ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Sustainable Diets ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Environmental Footprints ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Dietary Shifts

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.

Mediterranean diet scoring systems: understanding the evolution and applications for Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Heather L. Hutchins-Wiese ◽  
Connie W. Bales ◽  
Kathryn N. Porter Starr
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviours ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Geographic Context ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Abstract The Mediterranean diet (MedD) is a flexible dietary pattern which has such variability that has led to inconsistencies in definitions and assessment. The purpose of this narrative review is to evaluate scoring systems in a cultural and geographic context, from Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries, for comparison and application. The early MedD scoring systems (i.e. Trichopoulou’s MedD Scale (T-MDS) and alternative MedD Scale (aMed)) are widely applied throughout the world but use population-specific median cut-offs which limit interpretation and cross-study comparisons. The T-MDS and aMed also do not account for non-traditional MedD foods which are consumed in greater quantities than when the scoring systems were developed. Scoring systems developed after the MedD pyramid publication in 2011 have generally used these recommendations as a basis for food group intake cut-offs, incorporating more foods/food groups as negative components, and some have included dietary and lifestyle behaviours. The different approaches to MedD assessment have created much variability in the foods/food group components included in scoring systems. Assessments that include dietary and lifestyle behaviours may reflect the nutrition transition occurring in Mediterranean countries and better guide clinical intervention approaches. While the new scoring systems are theorised to better capture MedD adherence and behaviours, comparisons are sparse in the literature and none exists outside of Europe. Consensus on food and dietary behaviours to include as well as the methodology for assigning points in MedD scoring systems is needed to advance our understanding of MedD and health relationships to promote public health messaging and clinical application.

scholarly journals Cattle and carcass performance, and life cycle assessment of production systems utilizing additive combinations of growth promotant technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan J Webb ◽  
Janna J Block ◽  
Adele A Harty ◽  
Robin R Salverson ◽  
Russell F Daly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Beta Agonist ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Carcass Performance

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the impact of beef production systems utilizing additive combinations of growth promotant technologies on animal and carcass performance and environmental outcomes. Crossbred steer calves (n =120) were stratified by birth date, birth weight, and dam age and assigned randomly to one of four treatments: 1) no technology (NT; control), 2) antibiotic treated (ANT; NT plus therapeutic antibiotics and monensin and tylosin), 3) implant treated (IMP; ANT plus a series of 3 implants, and 4) beta-agonist treated (BA; IMP plus ractopamine-HCl for the last 30 d prior to harvest). Weaned steers were fed in confinement (dry lot) and finished in an individual feeding system to collect performance data. At harvest, standard carcass measures were collected and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Yield Grade and Quality Grade were determined. Information from the cow-calf, growing, and finishing phases were used to simulate production systems using the USDA Integrated Farm System Model, which included a partial life cycle assessment of cattle production for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fossil energy use, water use, and reactive N loss. Body weight in suckling, growing, and finishing phases as well as hot carcass weight was greater (P < 0.05) for steers that received implants (IMP and BA) than non-implanted steers (NT and ANT). The average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for steers that received implants (IMP and BA) than non-implanted steers during the suckling and finishing phases, but no difference (P = 0.232) was detected during the growing phase. Dry matter intake and gain:feed were greater (P < 0.05) for steers that received implants than non-implanted steers during the finishing phase. Steers that received implants responded (P < 0.05) with a larger loin muscle area, less kidney pelvic and heart fat, advanced carcass maturity, reduced marbling scores, and a greater percentage of carcasses in the lower third of the USDA Choice grade. This was offset by a lower percentage of USDA Prime grading carcasses compared with steers receiving no implants. Treatments did not influence (P > 0.05) USDA Yield grade. The life cycle assessment revealed that IMP and BA treatments reduced GHG emissions, energy use, water use, and reactive nitrogen loss compared to NT and ANT. These data indicate that growth promoting technologies increase carcass yield while concomitantly reducing carcass quality and environmental impacts.

scholarly journals The Mediterranean diet in a world context

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1a) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikos Alexandratos
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveTo put the debate on the Mediterranean diet in context by highlighting historical and prospective changes in the level and composition of food consumption in the world and key Mediterranean countries.DesignData from FAO's food balance sheets are used to illustrate historical evolution. Projections to 2030 are presented from FAO's recent and ongoing work on exploring world food and agriculture futures.SettingInternational.Results and conclusionsMany developing countries are undergoing diet transitions bringing them closer to the diets prevalent in the richer countries, i.e. with more energy-dense foods. There follows an increase in the incidence of diet-related non-communicable diseases, which are superimposed on the health problems related to undernutrition that still afflict them. In parallel, many low-income countries are making little progress towards raising food consumption levels necessary for good nutrition and food security. Wider adoption of food consumption patterns akin to those of the Mediterranean diet hold promise of contributing to mitigate adverse effects of such diet transitions. However, the evolution of food consumption in the Mediterranean countries themselves is not encouraging, as these countries have also followed the trend towards higher shares of energy-dense foods. Possible policy responses to these problems include measures to raise awareness of the benefits of healthier diets and/or to change relative food prices in favour of such diets (by taxing fattening foods) or, at the extreme, making individuals who follow ‘bad’ diets, and thus are prone to associated diseases, bear a higher part of the consequent costs borne by the public health systems (tax fat people).

The implications of climate change on residential water use: a micro-scale analysis of Portland (OR), USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Shandas ◽  
Meenakshi Rao ◽  
Moriah McSharry McGrath
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Residential Water Use ◽  
Residential Water

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. Although the majority of people now live in urban areas, we have limited empirical evidence of the anticipated behavioral response to climate change. Using empirical data on daily household residential water use and temperature, our research examines the implications of future climate conditions on water conservation behavior in 501 households within the Portland (OR) metropolitan region. We ask whether and how much change in ambient temperatures impact residential household water use, while controlling for taxlot characteristics. Based on our results, we develop a spatially explicit description about the changes in future water use for the study region using a downscaled future climate scenario. The results suggest that behavioral responses are mediated by an interaction of household structural attributes, and magnitude and temporal variability of weather parameters. These findings have implications for the way natural resource managers and planning bureaus prepare for and adapt to future consequences of climate change.

scholarly journals Improving the Sustainability of Dairy Slurry by A Commercial Additive Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 4998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Borgonovo ◽  
Cecilia Conti ◽  
Daniela Lovarelli ◽  
Valentina Ferrante ◽  
Marcella Guarino
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Cattle Slurry ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Environmental Impact Categories ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from livestock farms contribute to negative environmental impacts such as acidification and climate change. A significant part of these emissions is produced from the decomposition of slurry in livestock facilities, during storage and treatment phases. This research aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the additive “SOP LAGOON” (made of agricultural gypsum processed with proprietary technology) on (i) NH3 and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, (ii) slurry properties and N loss. Moreover, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was applied to assess the potential environmental impact associated with stored slurry treated with the additive. Six barrels were filled with 65 L of cattle slurry, of which three were used as a control while the additive was used in the other three. The results indicated that the use of the additive led to a reduction of total nitrogen, nitrates, and GHG emissions. LCA confirmed the higher environmental sustainability of the scenario with the additive for some environmental impact categories among which climate change. In conclusion, the additive has beneficial effects on both emissions and the environment, and the nitrogen present in the treated slurry could partially displace a mineral fertilizer, which can be considered an environmental credit.

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