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Nguyen SD, Biesbroek S, Le TD, Feskens EJM, Brouwer ID, Talsma EF. Environmental impact and nutrient adequacy of derived dietary patterns in Vietnam. Front Nutr 2023; 10:986241. [PMID: 37485385 PMCID: PMC10358330 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.986241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale and objective Improving diet quality while decreasing environmental impacts is an important challenge for a healthy and sustainable food system. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the most common dietary patterns per female household member and explore the diet quality and environmental impacts of these patterns. Methodology The nationally representative General Nutrition Survey of 2009-2010 (n = 8,225 households) was used to derive dietary patterns using principal component analysis (PCA) based on 18 food groups as input variables. Quintiles of the highest adherence (Q5) and lowest adherence (Q1) were generated based on the factor score of each dietary pattern. Nutrient adequacy and dietary diversity scores (DDS) were calculated to measure diet quality, and greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) and blue water use (BWU) were selected as environmental impact indicators. Results Using PCA, three distinct dietary patterns were identified: an Omnivorous, Traditional, and Pescatarian pattern. Compared to the Traditional pattern, the Omnivorous and Pescatarian patterns (Q5s) were associated with a higher nutrient adequacy, with mean probability of adequacy of 0.51 in both patterns, compared to 0.45 in the Traditional pattern. However, environmental impacts in terms of GHGE and BWU per 2,000 kcal were considerably higher in the Omnivorous pattern (6.14 kg CO2-eq. and 0.15 m3/kg) compared to all other pattern's Q5s. The GHGE was lowest in the Traditional pattern (4.18 kg CO2-eq.) and the Pescatarian pattern has the lowest BWU (0.12 m3/kg). Conclusion Despite that diet quality was slightly better in all three patterns compared to the average diet of the total population, environmental impact was also higher. Therefore, future research is needed to develop a more optimal diet that considers both diet quality and environmental impact to explore the trade-offs between diet quality and environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son D. Nguyen
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- National Institute of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sander Biesbroek
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tuyen D. Le
- National Institute of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Inge D. Brouwer
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, United States
| | - Elise F. Talsma
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Tulloch AIT, Borthwick F, Bogueva D, Eltholth M, Grech A, Edgar D, Boylan S, McNeill G. How the EAT-Lancet Commission on food in the Anthropocene influenced discourse and research on food systems: a systematic review covering the first 2 years post-publication. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1125-e1136. [PMID: 37349038 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00212-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission's report on food in the Anthropocene presented a planetary heath diet to improve health while reducing the environmental effect of food systems globally. We assessed EAT-Lancet's immediate influence on academic research and debate by conducting a systematic review of articles citing the Commission and others published from January, 2019, to April, 2021. The Commission influenced methods, results, or discourse for 192 (7·5%) of 2560 citing articles, stimulating cross-disciplinary research and debate across life sciences (47%), health and medical sciences (42%), and social sciences (11%). Sentiment analysis of 76 critiquing articles indicated that opinions were, on average, more positive than negative. Positive sentiments centred on benefits for informing policy, public health, and raising public awareness. Negative sentiments included insufficient attention to socioeconomic dimensions, feasibility, and environmental effects other than emissions. Empirical articles predominantly evaluated the effects of changed diets or food production on the environment and wellbeing (29%), compared current diets with EAT-Lancet recommendations (12%), or informed future policy and research agendas (20%). Despite limitations in EAT-Lancet's method, scope, and implementation feasibility, the academic community supported these recommendations. A broad suite of research needs was identified focusing on the effects of food processing, socioeconomic and political drivers of diet and health, and optimising consumption or production for environment and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha I T Tulloch
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Fiona Borthwick
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Diana Bogueva
- Centre for Advanced Food Engineering, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Mahmoud Eltholth
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El- Sheikh, Egypt; Department of Health Studies, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK
| | - Amanda Grech
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Dylan Edgar
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sinead Boylan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Geraldine McNeill
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Mackenzie SG, Davies AR. Assessing the sustainability impacts of food sharing initiatives: User testing The Toolshed SIA. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.807690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The food system is unsustainable and requires reconfiguration, however more data is required to assess the impacts of action which might contribute to a more sustainable food future. Responding to this, extensive research with food sharing initiatives—activities which have been flagged for their potential sustainability credentials—led to the co-design of an online sustainability impact assessment (SIA) tool to support food sharing initiatives to asses and evidence their sustainability impacts. This paper reports on the initial user testing of the resulting online tool: The Toolshed which forms the indicator based SIA element of the SHARE IT platform. Feedback gathered from the initiatives testing the tool are analyzed and summaries of their reported impacts detailed. This analysis confirms the need for the tool, the relevance of the indicators included and the value of SIA reports for internal reflection and external communication. Nonetheless, challenges remain in relation to resourcing the practice of SIA reporting. We conclude with a plan for expanding engagement with The Toolshed and the wider SHARE IT platform.
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Sobratee N, Davids R, Chinzila CB, Mabaudhi T, Scheelbeek P, Modi AT, Dangour A, Slotow R. Visioning a food system for equitable transition towards sustainable diets. SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 14:3280. [PMID: 37693306 PMCID: PMC7615045 DOI: 10.3390/su14063280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Global Goals to end hunger requires interpretation of problems, and change across multiple domains. We facilitated a workshop aimed at understanding how stakeholders problematise sustainable diet transition (SDT) among a previously-marginalised social group. Using the systems thinking approach, three sub-systems, access to dietary diversity, sustainable beneficiation of natural capital, and 'food choice for well-being', highlighted the main forces governing the current context, and future interventions. Moreover, when viewed as co-evolving processes within the multi-level perspective, our identified microlevel leverage points - multi-faceted literacy, youth empowerment, deliberative policy-making, promotion of sustainable diet aspirations - can be linked and developed through existing national macrolevel strategies. Thus, by reconsidering knowledge use in the pursuit sustainability, transformational SDT can streamline multiple outcomes to restructure socio-technical sectors, reconnect people to nature-based solutions and, support legitimate aspirations. The approach could be applied in countries having complex socio-political legacy and to bridge the local-global goals coherently.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sobratee
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - R Davids
- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - C B Chinzila
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - T Mabaudhi
- Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - P Scheelbeek
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A T Modi
- Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - A Dangour
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - R Slotow
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P. Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College London, London, UK
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Policy relevance and the ethical conduct of science. Biol Futur 2021; 72:105-111. [PMID: 34554470 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-020-00046-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Scientific enquiry and the communication of science are essential to achieving development goals. The demand for evidence-based policy poses a challenge to maintaining the ethical conduct of science. The modern scientist faces intense competition in light of the changing nature of collaborative efforts, the quickening pace and increasing complexity of research endeavours and a growing emphasis on commercialisation of research results. Academic performance criteria continually change, becoming more demanding and increasing complex to measure. The integrity of the scientific community is challenged by cases of falsification, fabrication and plagiarism. The mass production of science outputs, evidenced by the incredible rise of predatory journals, poses risks for the veracity of science. Yet, scientists are not the only ones driven by performance targets. Under the constant scrutiny of governing boards, research and development funders-both public and private-are increasingly pressed to demonstrate outputs, outcomes and impact. There is an urgent need for independent research but also a need for consensus with regard to policy guidance. Consensus studies expect scientists to make sense of the available science and find a way of presenting the controversies, contradictions and convergence of evidence to guide policy decisions. Policy consensus dialogues can valorise science guidance. These practices adopt multidisciplinary approaches, bringing top-rated scientists from a variety of disciplines around the table to contribute best practice examples, share experiences and lessons learnt against the background of solid critique of existing research.
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Scown MW, Brady MV, Nicholas KA. Billions in Misspent EU Agricultural Subsidies Could Support the Sustainable Development Goals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 3:237-250. [PMID: 34173533 PMCID: PMC7441947 DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the guiding policy for agriculture and the largest single budget item in the European Union (EU). Agriculture is essential to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but the CAP's contribution to do so is uncertain. We analyzed the distribution of €59.4 billion of 2015 CAP payments and show that current CAP spending exacerbates income inequality within agriculture, while little funding supports climate-friendly and biodiverse farming regions. More than €24 billion of 2015 CAP direct payments went to regions where average farm incomes are already above the EU median income. A further €2.5 billion in rural development payments went to primarily urban areas. Effective monitoring indicators are also missing. We recommend redirecting and better monitoring CAP payments toward achieving the environmental, sustainability, and rural development goals stated in the CAP's new objectives, which would support the SDGs, the European Green Deal, and green COVID-19 recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray W Scown
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mark V Brady
- Agrifood Economics Centre, Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), 220 07 Lund, Sweden.,Centre for Environmental and Climate Research (CEC), Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kimberly A Nicholas
- Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
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Development of a Danish Adapted Healthy Plant-Based Diet Based on the EAT-Lancet Reference Diet. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12030738. [PMID: 32168838 PMCID: PMC7146415 DOI: 10.3390/nu12030738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-based diets have been linked to both health benefits and a lower climate impact. However, plant-based diets may represent both healthy and unhealthy dietary practices. The present study aimed to develop a nationally adapted healthy plant-based diet based on the global EAT-Lancet reference diet. Development took place in a series of steps. First, the original EAT-Lancet reference diet was evaluated based on food availability, i.e., using Danish food data (Model 1). Then, the model was further modified to reflect national food based dietary guidelines (FBDG) and characteristics of current consumption pattern, e.g., by including processed food, discretionary foods and beverages in the diet (Model 2). The contents of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, except for vitamin D and iodine, were found to be sufficient for Model 2, according to the recommended nutrient density to be used for planning diets for groups of individuals aged 6–65 years. In addition, the study gave an insight into the nutrients and foods to be aware of in planning a predominantly plant-based diet, thereby providing directions for future revisions of sustainable FBDGs. These include a stronger emphasis on the intake of legumes, nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables including dark green vegetables, whole-grain products and vegetable oils as well as lowering meat intake.
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