Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Public Health 4/2021

01-08-2021 | Overweight | Original Article

Environmental consequences related to nutritional status of Thai populations

Authors: Piyanit Churak, Kitti Sranacharoenpong, Thumrongrut Mungcharoen

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Aim

To quantify the cumulative environmental impact related to dietary preference of Thai adults classified by nutritional status.

Subject and methods

The study used the data from the Thailand National Food Consumption Survey in 2006. A sample of 4056 participants aged between 19 and 60 years were categorized (normal, overweight, and obesity) by body mass index (BMI) classification for Asians. Food consumption patterns were analyzed and amounts of popular food consumed were calculated. Each commodity’s input was converted into output during the life-cycle to CO2 equivalent (CO2-eq) using a Thai database. The most popular plant- and animal-based foods were selected to quantify their emission of GHGs (greenhouse gases) during transportation.

Results

Among the ten popular commodities, seven were plant-based foods. Annual GHG emissions by overweight and obesity were higher than that of the normal groups (367, 319, and 301 kgCO2-eq respectively). The highest GHG contributor was rice. Beef emitted more than other animal-based foods.

Conclusions

Food choices ultimately result in impacts on the environment. They also have consequences on public health related to health outcomes. It is therefore recommended that environmentally friendly consumption practices should be encouraged for climate change and food security.
Literature
go back to reference Aekplakorn W, Inthawong R, Kessomboon P, et al (2014) Prevalence and trends of obesity and association with socioeconomic status in Thai adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009. J Obes 2014:410259 Aekplakorn W, Inthawong R, Kessomboon P, et al (2014) Prevalence and trends of obesity and association with socioeconomic status in Thai adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009. J Obes 2014:410259
go back to reference Berners-Lee M, Hoolohan C, Cammack H, Hewitt CN (2012) The relative greenhouse gas impacts of realistic dietary choices. Energy Policy 43:184–190CrossRef Berners-Lee M, Hoolohan C, Cammack H, Hewitt CN (2012) The relative greenhouse gas impacts of realistic dietary choices. Energy Policy 43:184–190CrossRef
go back to reference Canadell JG, Le Quéré C, Raupach MR et al (2007) Contributions to accelerating atmospheric CO(2) growth from economic activity, carbon intensity, and efficiency of natural sinks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104(47):18866–18870CrossRef Canadell JG, Le Quéré C, Raupach MR et al (2007) Contributions to accelerating atmospheric CO(2) growth from economic activity, carbon intensity, and efficiency of natural sinks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104(47):18866–18870CrossRef
go back to reference Carlsson-Kanyama A, González AD (2009) Potential contributions of food consumption patterns to climate change. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1704S–1709SCrossRef Carlsson-Kanyama A, González AD (2009) Potential contributions of food consumption patterns to climate change. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1704S–1709SCrossRef
go back to reference Davis J, Sonesson U, Baumgartner DU, Nemecek T (2010) Environmental impact of four meals with different protein sources: case studies in Spain and Sweden. Food Res Int 43(7):1874–1884CrossRef Davis J, Sonesson U, Baumgartner DU, Nemecek T (2010) Environmental impact of four meals with different protein sources: case studies in Spain and Sweden. Food Res Int 43(7):1874–1884CrossRef
go back to reference Eshel G, Martin PA (2006) Diet, energy, and global warming. Earth Interact 10(9):1–17CrossRef Eshel G, Martin PA (2006) Diet, energy, and global warming. Earth Interact 10(9):1–17CrossRef
go back to reference Garnett T (2011) Where are the best opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the food system (including the food chain)? Food Policy 36:S23–S32CrossRef Garnett T (2011) Where are the best opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the food system (including the food chain)? Food Policy 36:S23–S32CrossRef
go back to reference Garnett T (2013) Food sustainability: problems, perspectives and solutions. Proc Nutr Soc 72(1):29–39CrossRef Garnett T (2013) Food sustainability: problems, perspectives and solutions. Proc Nutr Soc 72(1):29–39CrossRef
go back to reference Gemming L, Jiang Y, Swinburn B, Utter J, Mhurchu CN (2013) Under-reporting remains a key limitation of self-reported dietary intake: an analysis of the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Eur J Clin Nutr 68:259–264CrossRef Gemming L, Jiang Y, Swinburn B, Utter J, Mhurchu CN (2013) Under-reporting remains a key limitation of self-reported dietary intake: an analysis of the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey. Eur J Clin Nutr 68:259–264CrossRef
go back to reference Goris AHC, Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Westerterp KR (2000) Undereating and underrecording of habitual food intake in obese men: selective underreporting of fat intake. Am J Clin Nutr 71(1):130–134CrossRef Goris AHC, Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Westerterp KR (2000) Undereating and underrecording of habitual food intake in obese men: selective underreporting of fat intake. Am J Clin Nutr 71(1):130–134CrossRef
go back to reference Heller Martin C, Keoleian Gregory A (2014) Greenhouse gas emission estimates of U.S. dietary choices and food loss. J Ind Ecol 19(3):391–401CrossRef Heller Martin C, Keoleian Gregory A (2014) Greenhouse gas emission estimates of U.S. dietary choices and food loss. J Ind Ecol 19(3):391–401CrossRef
go back to reference Huesemann M, Huesemann JA (2011) The inherent unpredictability and unavoidability of unintended consequences. In: Techno-Fix: why technology won't save us or the environment. New Society Publishers, Vancouver, pp. 3–15 Huesemann M, Huesemann JA (2011) The inherent unpredictability and unavoidability of unintended consequences. In: Techno-Fix: why technology won't save us or the environment. New Society Publishers, Vancouver, pp. 3–15
go back to reference International Energy Agency (2013) Key World Energy Statistics 2012. IEA, Paris International Energy Agency (2013) Key World Energy Statistics 2012. IEA, Paris
go back to reference Macdiarmid JI, Kyle J, Horgan GW et al (2012) Sustainable diets for the future: can we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eating a healthy diet? Am J Clin Nutr 96(3):632–639CrossRef Macdiarmid JI, Kyle J, Horgan GW et al (2012) Sustainable diets for the future: can we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eating a healthy diet? Am J Clin Nutr 96(3):632–639CrossRef
go back to reference Metz B, Davidson O, Bosch P, Dave R, Meyer L (2007) Climate change 2007: Working Group III: mitigation. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. Metz B, Davidson O, Bosch P, Dave R, Meyer L (2007) Climate change 2007: Working Group III: mitigation. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.
go back to reference Norat T, Riboli E (2009) Meat consumption and colorectal cancer: a review of epidemiologic evidence. Nutr Rev 59(2):37–47CrossRef Norat T, Riboli E (2009) Meat consumption and colorectal cancer: a review of epidemiologic evidence. Nutr Rev 59(2):37–47CrossRef
go back to reference Norat T, Lukanova A, Ferrari P, Riboli E (2001) Meat consumption and colorectal cancer risk: dose–response meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Int J Cancer 98(2):241–256CrossRef Norat T, Lukanova A, Ferrari P, Riboli E (2001) Meat consumption and colorectal cancer risk: dose–response meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Int J Cancer 98(2):241–256CrossRef
go back to reference Pachauri RK, Allen MR, Barros VR, et al (2014) Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, Pachauri RK, Meyer LA(eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, 155 pp Pachauri RK, Allen MR, Barros VR, et al (2014) Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, Pachauri RK, Meyer LA(eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, 155 pp
go back to reference Poslusna K, Ruprich J, de Vries JHM, Jakubikova M, van't Veer P (2009) Misreporting of energy and micronutrient intake estimated by food records and 24 hour recalls, control and adjustment methods in practice. Br J Nutr 101(S2):S73–S85CrossRef Poslusna K, Ruprich J, de Vries JHM, Jakubikova M, van't Veer P (2009) Misreporting of energy and micronutrient intake estimated by food records and 24 hour recalls, control and adjustment methods in practice. Br J Nutr 101(S2):S73–S85CrossRef
go back to reference Sheikholeslam R, Mohamad A, Mohammad K, Vaseghi S. (2004) Non-communicable disease risk factors in Iran. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 13 (Suppl 2):S 100 Sheikholeslam R, Mohamad A, Mohammad K, Vaseghi S. (2004) Non-communicable disease risk factors in Iran. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 13 (Suppl 2):S 100
go back to reference Shulman S, Deyette J, Ekwurzel B, Friiedman D, Mellon M, Rogers J (2012) A low-carbon diet. In: Shulman S (ed) Cooler smarter: practical steps for low-carbon living. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 137–157CrossRef Shulman S, Deyette J, Ekwurzel B, Friiedman D, Mellon M, Rogers J (2012) A low-carbon diet. In: Shulman S (ed) Cooler smarter: practical steps for low-carbon living. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 137–157CrossRef
go back to reference Solomon S, Qin D, Manning M (2007) Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY Solomon S, Qin D, Manning M (2007) Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY
go back to reference Sranacharoenpong K, Soret S, Harwatt H, Wien M, Sabaté J (2015) The environmental cost of protein food choices. Public Health Nutr 8(11):2067–2073 Sranacharoenpong K, Soret S, Harwatt H, Wien M, Sabaté J (2015) The environmental cost of protein food choices. Public Health Nutr 8(11):2067–2073
go back to reference Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, Castel V, Rosales M, Haan CD (2006) Livestock’s long shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome Steinfeld H, Gerber P, Wassenaar T, Castel V, Rosales M, Haan CD (2006) Livestock’s long shadow: environmental issues and options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome
go back to reference Stocker T, Qin D, Plattner G-K et al (2013) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY Stocker T, Qin D, Plattner G-K et al (2013) Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY
go back to reference Subar AF, Thompson FE, Kipnis V et al (2001) Comparative validation of the block, Willett, and National Cancer Institute food frequency questionnaires the eating at America's table study. Am J Epidemiol 154(12):1089–1099CrossRef Subar AF, Thompson FE, Kipnis V et al (2001) Comparative validation of the block, Willett, and National Cancer Institute food frequency questionnaires the eating at America's table study. Am J Epidemiol 154(12):1089–1099CrossRef
go back to reference The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (2006) Food consumption data of Thailand. Bangkok, Thailand The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (2006) Food consumption data of Thailand. Bangkok, Thailand
go back to reference Vidal R, Moliner E, Pikula A, Mena-Nieto A, Ortega A (2015) Comparison of the carbon footprint of different patient diets in a Spanish hospital. J Health Serv Res Policy 20(1):39–44 Vidal R, Moliner E, Pikula A, Mena-Nieto A, Ortega A (2015) Comparison of the carbon footprint of different patient diets in a Spanish hospital. J Health Serv Res Policy 20(1):39–44
Metadata
Title
Environmental consequences related to nutritional status of Thai populations
Authors
Piyanit Churak
Kitti Sranacharoenpong
Thumrongrut Mungcharoen
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01189-8

Other articles of this Issue 4/2021

Journal of Public Health 4/2021 Go to the issue