Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Eur J Nutr. 2022 Aug;61(5):2585-2599. doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-02835-w. Epub 2022 Mar 1.
To examine the association of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) with Environmental Footprints (EFPs) among women of childbearing age in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Data belonging to a nationally representative sample of 482 women (19-50 years) were derived from a previous survey in the UAE. In face-to-face interviews, participants completed questionnaires addressing sociodemographic, physical activity, and dietary intake characteristics; the latter assessed using a multiple pass 24-h recall. The composite Mediterranean (c-MED) index was used to examine the adherence to the MD. Metrics for the EFPs (water use, energy use, and GHG emissions) were calculated using Life Cycle Analyses. Descriptive statistics and linear regressions were used in data analysis.
In the study sample, the distribution of the c-MED scores was skewed to the right, indicating a low adherence to the MD. The lowest contributions to the total c-MED score were observed for legumes (2.9%) and olive oil (1.8%). The EFPs associated with food consumption per 1000 kcal were: water use: 1256.89 ± 544.95 L/day; energy use: 18.01 ± 7.85 MJ/day, and GHG: 2.46 ± 1.46 kg CO/day. After adjustment for age, energy intake, and potential confounders, being adherent to the MD was associated with 540.57 [95% CI (- 726.6; - 354.54)] units decrease in water use and 0.94 units decrease in GHG emissions [95% CI (- 1.45; - 0.43)].
The findings of this study revealed an inverse association between adherence to the MD and EFPs. As such, the MD may represent a promising dietary strategy to improve health outcomes and reduce the environmental impact. Public health programs addressing the low adherence to the MD among women of childbearing age in the UAE are warranted.
研究阿联酋育龄妇女地中海饮食（MD）依从性与环境足迹（EFPs）之间的关系。
数据来自阿联酋之前的一项调查，属于一个全国代表性的 482 名女性（19-50 岁）的样本。在面对面访谈中，参与者完成了关于社会人口统计学、身体活动和饮食摄入特征的问卷；后者使用多次 24 小时回忆法进行评估。使用综合地中海（c-MED）指数来评估 MD 的依从性。使用生命周期分析计算 EFPs（水使用、能源使用和温室气体排放）的指标。数据分析使用描述性统计和线性回归。
在研究样本中，c-MED 得分的分布呈右偏态，表明 MD 的依从性较低。豆类（2.9%）和橄榄油（1.8%）对总 c-MED 得分的贡献最低。每 1000 千卡食物消耗的 EFPs 分别为：水使用：1256.89±544.95 升/天；能源使用：18.01±7.85 兆焦耳/天，和 GHG：2.46±1.46 千克 CO/天。在调整年龄、能量摄入和潜在混杂因素后，MD 依从性与水使用量减少 540.57[95%置信区间（-726.6；-354.54）]单位和 GHG 排放量减少 0.94 单位有关[95%置信区间（-1.45；-0.43）]。
本研究结果表明 MD 依从性与 EFPs 之间存在反比关系。因此，MD 可能是改善健康结果和减少环境影响的一种有前途的饮食策略。需要开展针对阿联酋育龄妇女 MD 低依从性的公共卫生计划。
