Diet is a major modifiable risk factor for both human health and planetary health. 'Animal source foods (ASFs) are diverse and heterogeneous, including unprocessed red meat, processed meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, milk, cheese, and yoghurt.' Some ASFs are associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, and rearing of animals for meat and dairy products is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.
This new paper in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that, in just 2 years from 1990-2018:
- Unprocessed red meat intake per person increased by 88·1%, almost entirely due to increases in Southeast and East Asia and Latin America and Caribbean
- Intake of processed meat also increased, by 152·8% globally, with increases in most world regions
- Global seafood consumption doubled after 1990
- Global dietary intakes also increased for eggs (by 141·4%), milk (98·6%), and cheese (56·0%)
CITATION: Global, regional, and national consumption of animal-source foods between 1990 and 2018: findings from the Global Dietary Database
Victoria Miller et al.
Lancet Planetary Health 2022; Articles| volume 6, issue 3, e243-e256, march 01, 2022
Published:March, 2022 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00352-1
COMMENT: In some high-income countries, consumption of meat is decreasing as people recognise the health benefits of vegetarianism. A few days ago we recognised World Obesity Day (4 Marth), noting that many people are unaware of the links between obesity and disease. What can be done to increase awareness of the benefits and harms of different foods?
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator, neil@hifa.org www.hifa.org
