Liyanapathirana NN, Grech A, Li M, Malik A, Ribeiro R, Burykin T, Lenzen M, Raubenheimer D. Nutritional, environmental and economic impacts of ultra-processed food consumption in Australia.
Public Health Nutr 2023;
26:3359-3369. [PMID:
37881877 PMCID:
PMC10755453 DOI:
10.1017/s136898002300232x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the full life cycle impacts of ultra-processed foods (UPF) for key environmental, economic and nutritional indicators to identify trade-offs between UPF contribution to broad-scope sustainability.
DESIGN
Using 24-h dietary recalls along with an input-output database for the Australian economy, dietary environmental and economic impacts were quantified in this national representative cross-sectional analysis. Food items were classified into non-UPF and UPF using the NOVA system, and dietary energy contribution from non-UPF and UPF fractions in diets was estimated. Thereafter, associations between nutritional, environmental and economic impacts of non-UPF and UPF fractions of diets were examined using a multi-dimensional nutritional geometry representation.
SETTING
National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011-2012 of Australia.
PARTICIPANTS
Respondents (n 5344) aged > 18 years with 1 d of 24-h dietary recall data excluding respondents with missing values and outlier data points and under reporters.
RESULTS
Australian diets rich in UPF were associated with reduced nutritional quality, high greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and increased employment and income associated with the food supply chains. The environmental and economic impacts associated with the UPF portion of diets become more distinct when the diets are standardised to average protein recommendation.
CONCLUSION
Increased consumption of UPF has socio-economic benefits, but this comes with adverse effects on the environment and public health. Consideration of such trade-offs is important in identifying policy and other mechanisms regarding UPF for establishing healthy and sustainable food systems.
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