Study Title
Sustainability Dimensions of the Mediterranean Diet: A Systematic Review of the Indicators Used and Its Results
Principal Investigator
Joana Margarida Bôto, Ada Rocha, Vera Miguéis, Manuela Meireles, Belmira Neto
Affiliation
GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To identify and describe the indicators used to assess the sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet (MDiet) and evaluate the results from their application across environmental, nutritional, economic, and sociocultural dimensions.
Short Abstract
This systematic review analyzes 32 studies that evaluate the sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet (MDiet) using 33 distinct indicators. These studies assess the environmental impact, nutritional quality, economic costs, and sociocultural dimensions. The MDiet consistently demonstrates a lower environmental impact compared to Western diets, with a carbon footprint ranging from 0.9 to 6.88 kg CO2/d per capita and a water footprint ranging from 600 to 5280 m³/d per capita. The diet's nutritional quality is high, and its cost is comparable to other diets.
Study Design
Systematic review
Population
Global population (individual studies included varied populations across different countries)
Sample Size
32 studies reviewed
Inclusion Criteria
Original research that evaluates the sustainability of the MDiet using quantitative indicators
Exclusion Criteria
Studies not related to the sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet or those without measurable sustainability indicators
Intervention/Exposure
Mediterranean Diet and its various sustainability aspects (environmental, nutritional, economic, sociocultural)
Outcome Measures
Environmental sustainability (carbon, water, and ecological footprint), nutritional sustainability (Health score, Nutrient Rich Food Index), economic sustainability (dietary cost), sociocultural sustainability (seasonality, food origin, production methods)
Funding Source
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES), Portugal
Collaborating Institutions
University of Porto, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, InescTec
Ethics Approval
Not applicable (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in Advances in Nutrition, 2022
Keywords
Mediterranean diet, sustainability, environmental impact, nutritional quality, dietary cost, sociocultural dimensions
Data Collection Methods
Systematic search of four databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, GreenFile
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable
Contact Information
Belmira Neto (