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

Farah Naja, Nahla Hwalla, Anas El Zouhbi, Nada Abbas, Marie Claire Chamieh, Lara Nasreddine and Lamis Jomaa
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Farah Naja: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Nahla Hwalla: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Anas El Zouhbi: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Nada Abbas: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Marie Claire Chamieh: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Lara Nasreddine: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon
Lamis Jomaa: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, 1107-2020 Beirut, Lebanon

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: dietary intake; trend; environmental footprints; sustainable diets; Mediterranean diet; adolescents; Lebanon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4519-:d:366449

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