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A Comparison of the Mediterranean Diet and Current Food Patterns in Italy: A Life Cycle Thinking Approach for a Sustainable Consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Giuliana Vinci

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Lucia Maddaloni

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Sabrina Antonia Prencipe

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Marco Ruggeri

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

  • Maria Vittoria Di Loreto

    (Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The transition toward more sustainable food systems, which already represents a central element of the European Farm to Fork and Green Deal strategies, could be an effective measure to contribute to global decarbonization and greenhouse gas (GHGs) reduction goals; concurrently, it could improve the health status and nutrition of the global population. In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MD) could play a considerable role, as it is generally recognized as a more balanced, healthy, and sustainable eating pattern than Western consumption patterns, which are characterized by excess food and high energy content, thus causing undesirable effects on both human health and the environment. Although traditionally linked to MD, Italy sees relatively moderate adherence by its citizens, as they consume about +75% of the daily caloric intake recommended by MD. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively assess the potential environmental, economic, and health impacts of this lower adherence to MD by Italians. Current Italian Food Patterns (CIFP) in 2019 were analyzed and compared to the MD recommended amounts through a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach (LCA) and carbon footprint (CF) analysis. The results show that CIFP, compared to MD, has +133% greater impacts on the environmental macro-area, +100% greater impacts on the human health macro-area, and +59% greater impacts on the economic macro-area (with annual fossil and mineral resource savings of $53.35 per person, $3.2 billion per year). The analysis also shows that CIFP has a CF of 6.54 × 10 1 kg CO 2 eq, +142% over MD (2.7 × 10 1 kg CO 2 eq), resulting in a lower environmental impact of the Mediterranean diet.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuliana Vinci & Lucia Maddaloni & Sabrina Antonia Prencipe & Marco Ruggeri & Maria Vittoria Di Loreto, 2022. "A Comparison of the Mediterranean Diet and Current Food Patterns in Italy: A Life Cycle Thinking Approach for a Sustainable Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12274-:d:926906
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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. Christopher H. Trisos & Cory Merow & Alex L. Pigot, 2020. "The projected timing of abrupt ecological disruption from climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 580(7804), pages 496-501, April.
    3. Roberto Ruggieri & Giuliana Vinci & Marco Ruggeri & Henry Sardaryan, 2020. "Food losses and food waste: The Industry 4.0 opportunity for the sustainability challenge," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(1), pages 159-177.
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    2. Giuliana Vinci & Sabrina Antonia Prencipe & Federica Armeli & Rita Businaro, 2023. "A Multimethodological Approach for the Valorization of “Senatore Cappelli” Wheat Milling By-Products as a Source of Bioactive Compounds and Nutraceutical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Takumi Kato, 2024. "Effect of north, south, east, west on the attractiveness of products and services: extension of country of origin to cardinal directions," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.

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