Summary
This integrated health and environmental modelling study examined three approaches to sustainable diets across 150+ countries: environmental objectives (plant-based substitution for animal foods), food security objectives (weight normalisation), and public health objectives (specified energy-balanced dietary patterns). The analysis found that replacing animal-source foods with plant-based alternatives was particularly effective in high-income countries for improving nutrient adequacy and reducing premature mortality. The work provides country-level evidence on the joint health and environmental feasibility of sustainable diet transitions.
UK applicability
As a high-income country, the United Kingdom would likely benefit from the study's findings on plant-based substitution; however, country-specific modelling would be needed to account for UK dietary patterns, food supply chains, and environmental footprints. The findings support policy efforts to reorient UK food systems towards lower-impact diets whilst maintaining nutritional adequacy.
Key measures
Nutrient intake adequacy; diet-related and weight-related chronic disease mortality (via comparative risk assessment); greenhouse gas emissions; cropland use; freshwater use; nitrogen application; phosphorus application
Outcomes reported
The study modelled nutrient adequacy, diet-related and weight-related chronic disease mortality, and five environmental impact metrics (greenhouse gas emissions, cropland use, freshwater use, nitrogen and phosphorus application) across more than 150 countries under three sustainable diet scenarios. It assessed the joint health and environmental effects of dietary shifts towards plant-based foods, weight normalisation, and energy-balanced dietary patterns (flexitarian, pescatarian, vegetarian, vegan).
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