Summary
This global modelling study extracted quantitative dietary recommendations from 85 national food-based dietary guidelines and assessed their health and environmental implications at both national and global scales. Adoption of national guidelines was associated with an average 15% reduction in premature mortality and a 13% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; however, most guidelines (83 of 85, 98%) were incompatible with at least one global health or environmental target when universally adopted, with particular tensions around climate mitigation and non-communicable disease prevention.
UK applicability
The study includes the United Kingdom's dietary guidelines in its analysis of 85 countries. The findings suggest that current national dietary guidelines, including the UK's, may require revision to align simultaneously with climate, biodiversity, and freshwater targets whilst maintaining chronic disease prevention benefits.
Key measures
Reductions in premature mortality (percentage); greenhouse gas emissions (% change, regional range); compatibility with global targets (Paris Climate Agreement, Aichi biodiversity targets, sustainable development goals, planetary boundaries for freshwater use and fertiliser application); comparative risk assessment of deaths from chronic diseases
Outcomes reported
The study modelled the health and environmental impacts of adopting 85 national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) and compared them with WHO and EAT-Lancet recommendations against global health and environmental targets. It assessed changes in premature mortality from chronic diseases and environmental resource demand including greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater use, cropland use, and fertiliser application.
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