Analysis of Nutrient Intake and Carbon Footprint by Household Income Segment Using Food Consumption Data

Abstract

Dietary change is challenging todayʼs climatic issue by generating substantial greenhouse gas emissions from food supply-chain, also sometimes associated with negative impacts on individual body health. Therefore, obtaining a both body- and environmental-friendly eating habit is crucial for keeping balance between planetary capacity and individual health. To achieve this, it is important to simultaneously analyze the nutrition intake and environmental impacts of ongoing dietary change. However, few studies have linked such food consumption and environmental impacts at the household level or yet linked them with social class feature. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study used a representative household survey to quantify nutrient intake and carbon footprint released by five household income classes from 200 food consumption data. The main findings are as follows: 1) The higher the annual quintile income classes are observed with the higher protein intake. 2) There was no significant difference on protein intake from fish, while protein intake from meat was more than two times higher of the highest to the lowest income class. 3) Higher income classes are found to generate greater environmental impacts from meat consumption.