Are European diets healthy and sustainable? Evidence from nine countries using the planetary health diet framework

Summary

Contemporary food systems pose challenges for both human and planetary health. This study aimed to assess and compare adherence to the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) in nine European countries. Nationally representative dietary surveys (post-2013) from Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with ≥ 2 non-consecutive 24-hour recalls, were used (n = 16,083 adults). Adherence to the PHD was assessed at two levels: (1) food group compliance, evaluated as the alignment with PHD target values and recommended ranges; (2) overall adherence, captured by three valid dietary indices. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify associations with demographic factors. Dietary patterns across Europe were characterised by insuf