Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Environmental Impact of the Diet on Primary School Children Living in Parma (Italy)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Michele Donati¹  Beatrice Biasini²  Francesca Scazzina²  Alice Rosi²  Cristian Ricci³ 

[1] Department of Chemistry, Life sciences and Environmental sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy;Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy;Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;

关键词: Mediterranean diet;    children;    sustainability;    life cycle assessment;    carbon footprint;    ecological footprint;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph17176105

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The key role of diet in both human health and environmental sustainability is well known. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the environmental impact of children’s dietary behavior. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the dietary environmental impact in a sample of primary school children living in Parma (Italy, n = 172, 8–10 years), in relation to their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD). Children completed a 3-day food record in both winter and spring. Dietary records were processed to obtain: (i) adherence to the MD and (ii) mean daily carbon and ecological footprints. Adherence to the MD was similar in winter and spring, with almost half of the participants showing a medium MD score. Carbon and ecological footprints were higher during winter, and the main dietary contributors were red and processed meat for both indexes. A small positive correlation was observed between adherence to the MD and total carbon and ecological footprints. This study provided the first analysis of the relationship between adherence to the MD and environmental impact of primary school children. Further research is needed to better investigate the environmental impact of primary school children’s diet and the possible relationship between the MD and environmental sustainability.

【 授权许可】

Unknown