Med Diet 4.0

The Mediterranean diet with four sustainable benefits

Bibliographic Data

ID18076002
AuthorsDernini (0000-0002-0225-4683, Mediterranean University), S Dernini, EM Berry, E H Berry (Mediterranean University, corresponding author), Lluis Serra-Majem (0000-0002-9658-9061, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Carlo La Vecchia (0000-0003-1441-897X, University of Milan), Roberto Capone (0000-0001-9454-8453, Mediterranean University), FX Medina (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya), J Aranceta-Bartrina (0000-0002-4975-3906, Mediterranean University), Rekia Belahsen (0000-0002-5641-5809, Mediterranean University), Barbara Burlingame (0000-0002-9286-5751, Mediterranean University), G Calabrese (0000-0002-0137-4595, Mediterranean University), Dolores Corella (0000-0002-2366-4104, Universitat de València), Lorenzo M Donini (0000-0003-4692-4754, Mediterranean University), LM Donini, Denis Lairon (0000-0001-9941-3742, Mediterranean University), A Meybeck (Universitat de València), AG Pekcan, Ayla Gülden Pekcan (0000-0002-2037-3037, Mediterranean University), Suzanne Piscopo (0000-0002-5852-7708, University of Malta), Agneta Yngve (0000-0002-7165-279X, Örebro University), Antonia Trichopoulou (0000-0002-7204-6396, Mediterranean University)
Year2017
Volume20
Issue7
Pages1322-1330
Publication date2017-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980016003177
PMID28003037
OpenAlexW2562535875
LanguageEN
Citations received31
References cited78

Objective To characterize the multiple dimensions and benefits of the Mediterranean diet as a sustainable diet, in order to revitalize this intangible food heritage at the country level; and to develop a multidimensional framework – the Med Diet 4.0 – in which four sustainability benefits of the Mediterranean diet are presented in parallel: major health and nutrition benefits, low environmental impacts and richness in biodiversity, high sociocultural food values, and positive local economic returns. Design A narrative review was applied at the country level to highlight the multiple sustainable benefits of the Mediterranean diet into a single multidimensional framework: the Med Diet 4.0. Setting/subjects We included studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals that contained data on the characterization of sustainable diets and of the Mediterranean diet. The methodological framework approach was finalized through a series of meetings, workshops and conferences where the framework was presented, discussed and ultimately refined. Results The Med Diet 4.0 provides a conceptual multidimensional framework to characterize the Mediterranean diet as a sustainable diet model, by applying principles of sustainability to the Mediterranean diet. Conclusions By providing a broader understanding of the many sustainable benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the Med Diet 4.0 can contribute to the revitalization of the Mediterranean diet by improving its current perception not only as a healthy diet but also a sustainable lifestyle model, with country-specific and culturally appropriate variations. It also takes into account the identity and diversity of food cultures and systems, expressed within the notion of the Mediterranean diet, across the Mediterranean region and in other parts of the world. Further multidisciplinary studies are needed for the assessment of the sustainability of the Mediterranean diet to include these new dimensions

Biology · Economics · Environmental resource management · Geography · Mediterranean climate · Mediterranean diet · Political science · Sustainability · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Ecology