UN Food System Summit Fails to Address Real Healthy and Sustainable Diets Challenges

Climate change is threatening future global food and nutrition security. Limiting the increase in global temperature to 1·5 °C set out in The Paris Agreement (2015) while achieving nutrient security means overhauling the current food system to create one that can deliver healthy and sustainable diets. To attain this, it is critical to understand the implications for nutrition of actions to mitigate climate change as well as the impacts of climate change on food production and the nutrient composition of foods. It is widely recognised that livestock production has a much greater environmental burden than crop production, and therefore advice is to reduce meat consumption. This has triggered concern in some sectors about a lack of protein in diets, which hence is driving efforts to find protein replacements. However, in most high- and middle-income countries, protein intakes far exceed dietary requirements and it would even if all meat were removed from diets. Reduction in micronutrients should be given more attention when reducing meat. Simply eating less meat does not guarantee healthier or more sustainable diets. Climate change will also affect the type, amount and nutrient quality of food that can be produced. Studies have shown that increased temperature and elevated CO2 levels can reduce the nutrient density of some staple crops, which is of particular concern in low-income countries. Nutrition from a climate change perspective means considering the potential consequences of any climate action on food and nutrition security. In this paper, we discuss these issues from an interdisciplinary perspective.

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Sustainable diet policy development: implications of multi-criteria and other approaches, 2008–2017

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665117004074 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 331-346 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Tim Lang ◽

Pamela Mason

Keyword(s):

Policy Development ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Policy Issue ◽

Policy Uncertainty ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Sustainable Diet ◽

Common Framework ◽

Development Goals ◽

The Uk

The objective of the present paper is to draw lessons from policy development on sustainable diets. It considers the emergence of sustainable diets as a policy issue and reviews the environmental challenge to nutrition science as to what a ‘good’ diet is for contemporary policy. It explores the variations in how sustainable diets have been approached by policy-makers. The paper considers how international United Nations and European Union (EU) policy engagement now centres on the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Change Accord, which require changes across food systems. The paper outlines national sustainable diet policy in various countries: Australia, Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Qatar, Sweden, UK and USA. While no overarching common framework for sustainable diets has appeared, a policy typology of lessons for sustainable diets is proposed, differentiating (a) orientation and focus, (b) engagement styles and (c) modes of leadership. The paper considers the particularly tortuous rise and fall of UK governmental interest in sustainable diet advice. Initial engagement in the 2000s turned to disengagement in the 2010s, yet some advice has emerged. The 2016 referendum to leave the EU has created a new period of policy uncertainty for the UK food system. This might marginalise attempts to generate sustainable diet advice, but could also be an opportunity for sustainable diets to be a goal for a sustainable UK food system. The role of nutritionists and other food science professions will be significant in this period of policy flux.

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Sustainable diets: definition, state of the art and perspectives for a new research agenda in Brazil

Ciência & Saúde Coletiva ◽

10.1590/1413-81232021265.09742019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 1833-1846

Author(s):

Rozane Márcia Triches

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Food Production ◽

Food System ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Health Goals ◽

Different Types ◽

Definition Of ◽

New Research

Abstract It is an integrative literature review to discuss the emergence and construction of the definition of sustainable diets, to bring the current panorama of what has been studied about it and to point to a new research agenda in Brazil. The searches conducted between April and July 2018, were carried out in the databases Science Direct, Pubmed, Periódicos Capes, Google Academic, Banco de Teses, in addition to the use of the method snowball, reaching 365 articles analyzed. The concern with sustainable diets is related to the redirection of the dominant food system in the achievement of environmental and health goals, considering the culture and the economy. The main focus of the articles were: theoretical efforts to conceptualize what are sustainable diets; analysis of different types of diets; factors involved in consumers' choices/behaviors; size of food production; of health; of the economy; culture and society; policies and governance; and discussion on the methodologies used to measure and analyze the different aspects of sustainable diets. In Brazil, only 19 papers were found, which points to the gap in this area of research and the need to create this agenda of studies in the country, given its importance for public and environmental health.

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Sustainably Sourced Junk Food? Big Food and the Challenge of Sustainable Diets

Global Environmental Politics ◽

10.1162/glep_a_00458 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 93-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Caitlin Scott

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Food System ◽

Junk Food ◽

Economic Issues ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Sustainability Strategy ◽

Negative Health Outcomes ◽

Sustainable Sourcing

Sustainable diets are an increasingly debated policy concept to address many of the environmental, social, and economic issues in the food system. The role of ultraprocessed foods in sustainable diets has received less attention than meat, dairy, and eggs but is deserving of examination given the high environmental impacts and negative health outcomes resulting from consumption of these foods. Big Food companies that make ultraprocessed foods have focused their attention on sustainable sourcing as a significant sustainability strategy. This article argues that sustainable sourcing as a central strategy for Big Food firms has implications for the achievement of sustainable diets. First, sustainable sourcing lends legitimacy to specific discourses of sustainability that align with a growth imperative. Second, it perpetuates weak and fragmented governance, which can enhance the legitimacy of Big Food when participating in coordination efforts. These dynamics of sustainable sourcing are important for consideration given the legitimacy claims of these companies, which situate them as a key part of the solution in working toward food security and sustainability.

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Formulating policy activities to promote healthy and sustainable diets

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980015002529 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 2333-2340 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Mark A Lawrence ◽

Sharon Friel ◽

Kate Wingrove ◽

Sarah W James ◽

Seona Candy

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Nutrition Policy ◽

Policy Formulation ◽

Public Health Nutrition ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Political Realities

AbstractObjectiveTo develop a policy formulation tool for strategically informing food and nutrition policy activities to promote healthy and sustainable diets (HSD).DesignA policy formulation tool consisting of two complementary components was developed. First, a conceptual framework of the environment–public health nutrition relationship was constructed to characterise and conceptualise the food system problem. Second, an ‘Orders of Food Systems Change’ schema drawing on systems dynamics thinking was developed to identify, assess and propose policy options to redesign food systems.SettingFood and nutrition policy activities to promote HSD have been politicised, fragmented and lacking a coherent conceptual and strategic focus to tackle complex food system challenges.ResultsThe tool’s conceptual framework component comprises three integrated dimensions: (i) a structure built around the environment and public health nutrition relationship that is mediated via the food system; (ii) internal mechanisms that operate through system dynamics; and (iii) external interactions that frame its nature and a scope within ecological parameters. The accompanying schema is structured around three orders of change distinguished by contrasting ideological perspectives on the type and extent of change needed to ‘solve’ the HSD problem.ConclusionsThe conceptual framework’s systems analysis of the environment–public health nutrition relationship sets out the food system challenges for HSD. The schema helps account for political realities in policy making and is a key link to operationalise the framework’s concepts to actions aimed at redesigning food systems. In combination they provide a policy formulation tool to strategically inform policy activities to redesign food systems and promote HSD.

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Employment and income implications of transitions towards more sustainable global diets

10.31235/osf.io/skwvj ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adam M. Komarek ◽

Nicola Cenacchi ◽

Shahnila Dunston ◽

Timothy B Sulser ◽

Keith Wiebe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computable General Equilibrium ◽

Food System ◽

Value Added ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Diet Shift ◽

System Transformation ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Agriculture Sector ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Diet Shifts

The effect of global diet shifts on human health, the natural environment, and the financial cost of obtaining food has been extensively quantified. The current study complements these quantifications by examining the economy-wide consequences of global diet shifts. We used a computable general equilibrium model to quantify the changes in employment and income in all geographic regions of the globe in the year 2050 under a global shift towards more sustainable human diets. These more sustainable diets are lower in livestock-derived foods, higher in fruit and vegetables, and lower in refined sugar than diets under the current trajectory for food demand out to the year 2050. Our results show that transitioning towards more sustainable diets at the global scale in sub-Saharan Africa will decrease employment in the livestock sector and increase employment in the crop sector, with an overall reallocation of labor from the industry and services sectors to the agriculture sector. West Africa was the region of the globe that encountered the greatest decline in income of 14% as a result of the global diet shift, driven by the reallocation of labor into the lower value-added agriculture sector and driven by West Africa’s high share of total household expenditure spent on food. These findings have important implications for understanding trade-offs and developing strategies to equitably improve livelihoods within the broader context of food system transformation.

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

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12114519 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 4519

Author(s):

Farah Naja ◽

Nahla Hwalla ◽

Anas El Zouhbi ◽

Nada Abbas ◽

Marie Claire Chamieh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Food System ◽

Nutrition Transition ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Environmental Footprints ◽

Time Periods ◽

Dietary Shifts

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.

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Application of the Nutrition Functional Diversity indicator to assess food system contributions to dietary diversity and sustainable diets of Malawian households

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001500169x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 2479-2487 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Brian G Luckett ◽

Fabrice AJ DeClerck ◽

Jessica Fanzo ◽

Adrienne R Mundorf ◽

Donald Rose

Keyword(s):

Functional Diversity ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Food Systems ◽

Food System ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Home Production ◽

Positive Health ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Time Space

AbstractObjectiveDietary diversity is associated with nutrient adequacy and positive health outcomes but indicators to measure diversity have focused primarily on consumption, rather than sustainable provisioning of food. The Nutritional Functional Diversity score was developed by ecologists to describe the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable diets. We have employed this tool to estimate the relative contribution of home production and market purchases in providing nutritional diversity to agricultural households in Malawi and examine how food system provisioning varies by time, space and socio-economic conditions.DesignA secondary analysis of nationally representative household consumption data to test the applicability of the Nutritional Functional Diversity score.SettingThe data were collected between 2010 and 2011 across the country of Malawi.SubjectsHouseholds (n 11 814) from predominantly rural areas of Malawi.ResultsNutritional Functional Diversity varied demographically, geographically and temporally. Nationally, purchased foods contributed more to household nutritional diversity than home produced foods (mean score=17·5 and 7·8, respectively). Households further from roads and population centres had lower overall diversity (P<0·01) and accessed relatively more of their diversity from home production than households closer to market centres (P<0·01). Nutritional diversity was lowest during the growing season when farmers plant and tend crops (P<0·01).ConclusionsThe present analysis demonstrates that the Nutritional Functional Diversity score is an effective indicator for identifying populations with low nutritional diversity and the relative roles that markets, agricultural extension and home production play in achieving nutritional diversity. This information may be used by policy makers to plan agricultural and market-based interventions that support sustainable diets and local food systems.

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The Promotion of Sustainable Diets in the Healthcare System and Implications for Health Professionals: A Scoping Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13030747 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 747

Author(s):

Goiuri Alberdi ◽

Mirene Begiristain-Zubillaga

Keyword(s):

Healthcare System ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Food System ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

Synthetic Approach ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

Sustainable Diet

The impacts of the current global food system are already visible in the environment and in the health of the population. The promotion of sustainable diets is key to counter the negative consequences. The healthcare system could be a powerful tool to educate patients by guiding their diets towards sustainability. This study aimed to assess the size and scope of the available literature regarding the promotion of sustainable diets in the healthcare system and to obtain a reliable approximation of the processes and roles related to sustainable diet promotion within healthcare systems. A scoping review where online databases were used to identify English written scientific and grey literature published between 2000–2019 was carried out. The analytical–synthetic approach was used for data charting. Twelve studies were included that were published between 2007–2020. The data highlight education, community and clinical health services, community engagement and policy advocacy, and governance as main action areas along with two transversal aspects, social support, and gender. A systemic approach to the food system is emphasized. Evidence suggests that health professionals have the potential to drive a paradigm shift in food–health environments. Currently, however, their role and potential impact is underestimated within healthcare systems. This review has identified a framework with key areas where processes need to be developed to guarantee sustainable diet promotion in healthcare services.

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A Review on Sustainable Eating and Eco-Friendly Diets

FLORA AND FAUNA ◽

10.33451/florafauna.v26i2pp257-260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Manish Kumar Verma ◽

Rabindra Kumar Saroniya

Keyword(s):

Food System ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

World Population ◽

Environmental Aspects ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

Sustainable Diets ◽

The Earth ◽

Adequate Food ◽

Global Food ◽

Non Communicable Disease

The world population is expected to be thousand crores by 2050, and it’s now a matter of hot debate that how global food system is going to meet future requirements of food. There is the biggest challenge to make it sure that every person will have access to enough as well as nutritive food produced in a socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable forms. The diets available now (mostly westernized diets) are also a big risk factor for the worldwide burden of disease and death. Diet-related non-communicable disease and rising obesity are increasingly prevalent, affecting most of population. Therefore, sustainable diets are proposed as a multidimensional framework to affect the need for nutritious and adequate food within the context of the varied challenges facing the earth today reducing poverty and hunger, improving environmental health, enhancing human health, and strengthening local food networks, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural heritage. This mini-review is on new advancements towards sustainable diets and their nutritional, cultural and environmental aspects.

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