Abstract
Background and objectives:
Traditional diets may be sustainable as they might produce low environmental impact. However, little is known about how traditional Chinese diet (TCD) affects environment This study aimed to assess the environmental impacts of adherence to the traditional Chinese diet (TCD).
Methods:
This study utilized data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, a prospective cohort study conducted across multiple waves, with data collected between 1997 and 2011 selected for analysis. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 74 years, and had participated in at least two survey waves with complete nutrition data available. TCD adherence was measured using a recently developed TCD index, based on three 24-hour recalls data. Environmental impacts were measured by calculating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (kgCO2 equivalents), total water footprint (TWF) (m³) and total land use (TLU) (m²). Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between TCD adherence and environmental impacts.
Results:
A total of 11,158 adults were included. The mean (SD) values for GHGE, TWF and TLU were 1.70 (0.78) kgCO2/day, 1.53 (0.70)m³/day and 2.30 (2.35)m²/day, respectively. Among food groups, rice accounted for the highest proportion of GHGE (44.7%) and TWF (35.7%), while pork and pork products contributed the most to TLU (29.3%). Compared to low TCD adherence, high adherence was associated with lower GHGE (β =−0.04, 95% CI, -0.06, -0.02), lower TWF (β =-0.02, 95% CI, -0.03, -0.01) and higher land use (β =0.36, 95%CI, 0.30, 0.42).
Conclusions:
High adherence to the TCD may benefit the environment through reduced GHG emissions and TWF, while it may increase the use of land.
Traditional diets may be sustainable as they might produce low environmental impact. However, little is known about how traditional Chinese diet (TCD) affects environment This study aimed to assess the environmental impacts of adherence to the traditional Chinese diet (TCD).
Methods:
This study utilized data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, a prospective cohort study conducted across multiple waves, with data collected between 1997 and 2011 selected for analysis. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 74 years, and had participated in at least two survey waves with complete nutrition data available. TCD adherence was measured using a recently developed TCD index, based on three 24-hour recalls data. Environmental impacts were measured by calculating greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (kgCO2 equivalents), total water footprint (TWF) (m³) and total land use (TLU) (m²). Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between TCD adherence and environmental impacts.
Results:
A total of 11,158 adults were included. The mean (SD) values for GHGE, TWF and TLU were 1.70 (0.78) kgCO2/day, 1.53 (0.70)m³/day and 2.30 (2.35)m²/day, respectively. Among food groups, rice accounted for the highest proportion of GHGE (44.7%) and TWF (35.7%), while pork and pork products contributed the most to TLU (29.3%). Compared to low TCD adherence, high adherence was associated with lower GHGE (β =−0.04, 95% CI, -0.06, -0.02), lower TWF (β =-0.02, 95% CI, -0.03, -0.01) and higher land use (β =0.36, 95%CI, 0.30, 0.42).
Conclusions:
High adherence to the TCD may benefit the environment through reduced GHG emissions and TWF, while it may increase the use of land.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2025 |
| Event | 23rd IUNS International Congress of Nutrition (IUNS-ICN 2025) - Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris, France Duration: 24 Aug 2025 → 29 Aug 2025 https://www.icn2025.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | 23rd IUNS International Congress of Nutrition (IUNS-ICN 2025) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IUNS-ICN 2025 |
| Country/Territory | France |
| City | Paris |
| Period | 24/08/25 → 29/08/25 |
| Internet address |
Research Groups and Themes
- SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
