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Mediterranean Diet and Its Environmental Footprints Amid Nutrition Transition: The Case of Lebanon

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  • Farah Naja

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

  • Leila Itani

    (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University Beirut, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon)

  • Rena Hamade

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

  • Marie Claire Chamieh

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

  • Nahla Hwalla

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

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:23:p:6690-:d:291149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatem Jemmali & Caroline Sullivan, 2014. "Multidimensional Analysis of Water Poverty in MENA Region: An Empirical Comparison with Physical Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 115(1), pages 253-277, January.
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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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.

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