The impact of ultra-processed food on carbon, water and ecological footprints of food in Brazil

Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been associated with major diet-related public health issues that share underlying drivers with climate change. Both challenges require major changes to the food system and so the potential benefits to health and the environment present a double m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of public health 2020-09, Vol.30 (Supplement_5)
Main Authors: da Silva, J T, da Cruz, G L, Rauber, F, Louzada, M L, Kluczkovski, A R G, Frankowska, A, Schmidt, X, Reynolds, C, Bridle, S, Levy, R B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Climate change
Consumers
Data
Diet
Ecological footprint
Ecology
Energy
Environmental impact
Food
Food groups
Food processing
Footprint analysis
Greenhouse gases
Information processing
Motivation
Nutrient deficiency
Nutrition
Participation
Policy making
Processed foods
Public health
Regression analysis
Water consumption
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Summary:Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been associated with major diet-related public health issues that share underlying drivers with climate change. Both challenges require major changes to the food system and so the potential benefits to health and the environment present a double motivation for transformation. Our aim is to assess the impacts of UPF on total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), water and ecological footprints in Brazil food purchases. Methods We have used data from 4 Brazilian Household Budget Surveys (1987, 1996, 2003, 2009). Each food item was classified into NOVA food groups (unprocessed/minimally processed, culinary ingredients, processed and ultra-processed). The information was linked to nutrition and footprint data. Purchases were converted into grams per capita per day to estimate total energy (kcal), percentage of energy from UPF, as well as total GHGE, water and ecological footprints. We performed linear regression to calculate year-adjusted means of footprints per 1000 Kcal by year-specific quintiles of UPF participation in the total energy. The data were analysed in R v.3.6.1 and STATA SE 14.1. Results The mean UPF participation in total energy varied from 13% (SD 2.4) in the 1st UPF quintile to 29% (SD 5.1) in the 5th quintile. The footprints increased linearly across quintiles: the mean g CO2eq varied from 1312 in the 1st to 1721 in the 5th UPF quintile (p-trend
ISSN:1101-1262
1464-360X
DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.433