Assessment of the Sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet Combined with Organic Food Consumption: An Individual Behaviour Approach

Abstract

Mediterranean diets are promising sustainable food models and the organic food system may provide health and environmental benefits. Combining the two models could therefore be a favourable approach for food sustainability. The aim of this study was to draw up a comparative description of four diets differing in the level of organic foods consumption and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, using multidisciplinary indicators to assess the sustainability of these diets. Four groups of participants were defined and compared, combining the proportion of organic food in their diet (Org versus Conv) and the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Med versus NoMed). Conv–NoMed: Conventional consumers and non-Mediterranean diet followers; Conv–Med: Conventional consumers and Mediterranean diet followers; Org–NoMed: Organic consumers and non-Mediterranean diet followers; Org–Med: Organic consumers and Mediterranean diet followers. The adherence to nutritional recommendations was higher among the Org–Med and Conv–Med groups compared to the Conv–NoMed group (using the mPNNS-GS (modified-Programme National nutrition santé guidelines score/13.5 points): 9.29 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 9.23–9.36) and 9.30 (95% CI = 9.24–9.35) versus 8.19 (95% CI = 8.17–8.22)) respectively. The mean plant/animal protein intake ratio was 1.38 (95% CI = 1.01–1.74) for the Org–Med group versus 0.44 (95% CI = 0.28–0.60) for the Conv–NoMed group. The average cost of the diet of Org–Med participants was the highest: 11.43 €/day (95% CI = 11.34–11.52). This study highlighted the importance of promoting the Mediterranean diet combined with organic food consumption for individual health and environmental aspects but challenges with regard to the cost remain.

Comparing nutritional, economic, and environmental performances of diets according to their levels of greenhouse gas emissions

“…A database gathering the prices of the 264 items of the Org-FFQ accounting for the place of purchase and the food production mode (organic vs. conventional) was developed (30) The adjusted means for sex, age and energy intake with the residual method (36) and 95%CI of food group consumption by diet according to GHGEs were calculated. The contribution of each food group to the total dietary GHGEs were also assessed across quintiles.…”

Measuring Progress in Sustainable Food Cities: An Indicators Toolbox for Action

“…Indeed, health and nutritional aspects are increasingly considered as a key topic in these frameworks [30], although not always in relation to all the other sustainability or food security dimensions. This is illustrated for example by Seconda's et al, [31] assessment of the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet through an individual behavior approach or Röös' et al [32] assessment of the environmental impact and nutritional quality of diets.…”

Identification of sustainable dietary patterns by a multicriteria approach in the NutriNet-Santé cohort

“…At the same time as the Org-FFQ administration (in July 2014), participants in the NutriNet-Sant e study were also invited to complete a questionnaire including questions about the place where the food was purchased for different food groups. Meanwhile, prices of the 264 items accounting for the mode of production (organic vs. conventional) and the place of purchase (supermarket, hard discount supermarket, grocery store, artisans shop, farm shop, AMAPs (Associations Supporting Small Farming), street market, or producers shop) were allocated as previously described (Seconda et al, 2017). Food prices were obtained from the 2012 KANTAR Worldpanel purchase database and a complementary survey carried out by members of the Bioconsom'acteurs association to provide additional prices in specific channels (e.g., short supply chain) (Seconda et al, 2017).…”

“…Meanwhile, prices of the 264 items accounting for the mode of production (organic vs. conventional) and the place of purchase (supermarket, hard discount supermarket, grocery store, artisans shop, farm shop, AMAPs (Associations Supporting Small Farming), street market, or producers shop) were allocated as previously described (Seconda et al, 2017). Food prices were obtained from the 2012 KANTAR Worldpanel purchase database and a complementary survey carried out by members of the Bioconsom'acteurs association to provide additional prices in specific channels (e.g., short supply chain) (Seconda et al, 2017). Finally, the individual monetary cost of the diet was computed by multiplying the price (V/g) by the food quantity consumed (g/d) accounting for the place of purchase and the mode of production.…”