Secular trends in diet-related greenhouse gas emission estimates since 2000 - a shift towards sustainable diets in Sweden

• Objective: This study examines secular changes in diet-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) in younger and older Swedish adults, since the turn of this century. Setting: The municipality of Gothenburg, in western Sweden. Design: Two cross-sectional health examination surveys were conducted in 2001-04 (T1) and 2014-18 (T2). At both times, an 86-item food frequency questionnaire was embedded in the survey. From the food frequencies and age-standardized portion sizes, GHGE estimates (kg CO2e/year) were calculated. GHGE was modeled as a function of time period and covariates, for five distinct age groups. Participants: Women and men aged 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and 65-75 were randomly selected from the population registry and recruited for examinations. After exclusion of participants with incomplete dietary data, the analytic sample consisted of 2569 individuals at T1 and 2119 at T2. Results: Lower dietary GHGE scores were observed at T2 compared to T1, in each age group, adjusting for sex, body mass index, and education. The largest differences in GHGE were observed in the youngest age group (circa 30% reduction). Decreasing trends in GHGE from animal-based foods were observed at all ages and were accompanied by smaller increases from plant-based sources in younger groups only. At all ages, GHGE from discretionary foods decreased, and prevalence of overweight remained stable. Conclusions: Optimal dietary trends should support both human health and planetary health. Our results suggest that Swedish adults have moved in this direction, e.g. through less intake of red meat products and stable weight status.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Animal-based food

Climate change

Greenhouse gas emissions

Plant-based food

Secular trends

Sustainable diets

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