Climate impact of ultra-processed foods in the Swedish diet

The climate impact associated with food consumption is large. The size of the impact depend on the type of food and how it is produced. Food systems are currently changing and urbanization and increased affluence of consumers have led to an overall increase in food consumption and a rise in consumption of processed foods globally. In this thesis, the climate impact of the Swedish diet was analysed, based on type of food and degree of processing. The NOVA framework was used to classify food groups into unprocessed or minimally processed foods, culinary ingredients, processed foods or ultra-processed foods (UPF). National statistics on food consumption was combined with a dataset with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with foods, based on life-cycle assessment of foods on the Swedish market. For a comparison of Swedish data to other settings, a literature search was done to capture studies on UPF and environmental impacts. Our analysis show that the largest contribution of GHG emissions from the Swedish diet comes from foods categorised as unprocessed or minimally processed. The food groups that contributed most to climate impact were ‘Meat&Eggs’ and ‘Dairy’ in unprocessed or minimally processed foods and ‘Meat&Eggs’ and ‘Discretionary foods ’ in UPF. A literature search rendered six papers relating climate impact to the degree of food processing based on the NOVA classification. In one paper, there was a higher climate impact of a diet higher in UPF than a diet higher in less processed foods, while two other papers found no association of degree of processing and climate impact of the diet. Also in the food-based analyses, results were inconsistent on the role of UPF on climate impact. The study results reflect the climate impact associated with the dietary pattern of the studied populations. Some of the differences between studies may also be due to methodology, as the authors used different ways to control for energy intake. Our conclusion is that the least processed foods contribute more to the climate impact of the Swedish diet than the foods categorised as UPF. The NOVA classification is not well aligned with a food science view of what food processing is and not suitable for analysis of climate impact of diets. More information on the energy use in different food processing steps is crucial for investigating and reducing the climate impact of food processing

Environmental effects of coffee, tea and cocoa- data collection for a consumer guide for plant-based foods

In 2020, WWF launched a consumer guide on plant-based products targeting Swedish consumers. The development of the guide is described in a journal paper (Karlsson Potter & Röös, 2021) and the environmental impact of different plant based foods was published in a report (Karlsson Potter, Lundmark, & Röös, 2020). This report was prepared for WWF Sweden to provide scientific background information for complementing the consumer guide with information on coffee, tea and cocoa. This report includes quantitative estimations for several environmental categories (climate, land use, biodiversity and water use) of coffee (per L), tea (per L) and cocoa powder (per kg), building on the previously established methodology for the consumer guide. In addition, scenarios of consumption of coffee, tea and cocoa drink with milk/plant-based drinks and waste at household level, are presented. Tea, coffee and cacao beans have a lot in common. They are tropical perennial crops traditionally grown in the shade among other species, i.e. in agroforestry systems. Today, the production in intensive monocultures has negative impact on biodiversity. Re-introducing agroforestry practices may be part of the solution to improve biodiversity in these landscapes. Climate change will likely, due to changes in temperature, extreme weather events and increases in pests and disease, alter the areas where these crops can be grown in the future. A relatively high ratio of the global land used for coffee, tea and cocoa is certified according to sustainability standards, compared to other crops. Although research on the implications of voluntary standards on different outcomes is inconclusive, the literature supports that certifications have a role in incentivizing more sustainable farming. Coffee, tea and cocoa all contain caffeine and have a high content of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, and they have all been associated with positive health outcomes. While there is a strong coffee culture in Sweden and coffee contributes substantially to the environmental impact of our diet, tea is a less consumed beverage. Cocoa powder is consumed as a beverage, but substantial amounts of our cocoa consumption is in the form of chocolate. Roasted ground coffee on the Swedish market had a climate impact of 4.0 kg CO2e per kg powder, while the climate impact of instant coffee powder was 11.5 kg CO2e per kg. Per litre, including the energy use for making the coffee, the total climate impact was estimated to 0.25 kg CO2e per L brewed coffee and 0.16 kg CO2e per L for instant coffee. Less green coffee beans are needed to produce the same amount of ready to drink coffee from instant coffee than from brewed coffee. Tea had a climate impact of approximately 6.3 kg CO2 e per kg dry leaves corresponding to an impact of 0.064 CO2e per L ready to drink tea. In the assessment of climate impact per cup, tea had the lowest impact with 0.013 kg CO2e, followed by black instant coffee (0.024 kg CO2e), black coffee (0.038 kg CO2e), and cocoa drink made with milk (0.33 kg CO2e). The climate impact of 1kg cocoa powder on the Swedish market was estimated to 2.8 kg CO2e. Adding milk to coffee or tea increases the climate impact substantially. The literature describes a high proportion of the total climate impact of coffee from the consumer stage due to the electricity used by the coffee machine. However, with the Nordic low-carbon energy mix, the brewing and heating of water and milk contributes to only a minor part of the climate impact of coffee. As in previous research, coffee also had a higher land use, water use and biodiversity impact than tea per L beverage. Another factor of interest at the consumer stage is the waste of prepared coffee. Waste of prepared coffee contributes to climate impact through the additional production costs and electricity for preparation, even though the latter was small in our calculations. The waste of coffee and tea at Summary household level is extensive and measures to reduce the amount of wasted coffee and tea could reduce the environmental impact of Swedish hot drink consumption. For the final evaluation of coffee and tea for the consumer guide, the boundary for the fruit and vegetable group was used. The functional unit for coffee and tea was 1 L prepared beverage without any added milk or sweetener. In the guide, the final evaluation of conventionally grown coffee is that it is ‘yellow’ (‘Consume sometimes’), and for organic produce, ‘light green’ (‘Please consume). The evaluation of conventionally grown tea is that it is ‘light green’, and for organic produce, ‘dark green’ (‘Preferably consume this’). For cocoa, the functional unit is 1 kg of cocoa powder and the boundary was taken from the protein group. The final evaluation of conventionally grown cocoa is that it is ‘orange’ (‘Be careful’), and for organically produced cocoa, ‘light green’

Environmental Sustainability Perspectives of the Nordic Diet

“The Nordic diet” is an umbrella term that encompasses any interpretation that combines Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) with local Nordic foods. The five Nordic countries have collaborated on Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for forty years, including FBDGs, so their national guidelines are similar. The countries also share similar public health issues, including widespread nonconformity to the guidelines, although in different ways. The aim of this concept paper is to discuss environmental sustainability aspects of the Nordic diet, describe the status of and make suggestions for the inclusion of sustainability in future work on the Nordic diet. We exploit the sustainability–health synergy. A food intake more in line with the current FBDGs, which emphasises more plant-based and less animal-based foods, is necessary for high environmental sustainability. In turn, sustainability is an important motivator for health-promoting dietary shifts. Policy development requires long-term efforts. Since the Nordic diet can be considered a further development and improvement of old, traditional diets, there is huge potential to formulate a Nordic diet that benefits both human and planetary health. It is time for concerted engagement and actions—a new Nordic nutrition transition

Effect of a randomised exclusive breastfeeding counselling intervention nested into the MINIMat prenatal nutrition trial in Bangladesh.

AIM: It is unknown whether maternal malnutrition reduces the effect of counselling on exclusive breastfeeding. This study evaluated the effect of breastfeeding counselling on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and whether the timing of prenatal food and different micronutrient supplements further prolonged this duration. METHODS: Pregnant women in Matlab, Bangladesh, were randomised to receive daily food supplements of 600 kcal at nine weeks of gestation or at the standard 20 weeks. They also were allocated to either 30 mg of iron and 400 μg folic acid, or the standard programme 60 mg of iron and folic acid or multiple micronutrients. At 30 weeks of gestation, 3188 women were randomised to receive either eight breastfeeding counselling sessions or the usual health messages. RESULTS: The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 135 days in the counselling group and 75 days in the usual health message group (p < 0.001). Prenatal supplements did not modify the effects of counselling. Women in the usual health message group who were randomised to multiple micronutrients exclusively breastfed for 12 days longer than mothers receiving the standard iron-folate combination (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding counselling increased the duration of exclusive breastfeeding by 60 days. This duration was not influenced by the supplements

Environmental Sustainability Perspectives of the Nordic Diet

“The Nordic diet” is an umbrella term that encompasses any interpretation that combines Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) with local Nordic foods. The five Nordic countries have collaborated on Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for forty years, including FBDGs, so their national guidelines are similar. The countries also share similar public health issues, including widespread nonconformity to the guidelines, although in different ways. The aim of this concept paper is to discuss environmental sustainability aspects of the Nordic diet, describe the status of and make suggestions for the inclusion of sustainability in future work on the Nordic diet. We exploit the sustainability–health synergy. A food intake more in line with the current FBDGs, which emphasises more plant-based and less animal-based foods, is necessary for high environmental sustainability. In turn, sustainability is an important motivator for health-promoting dietary shifts. Policy development requires long-term efforts. Since the Nordic diet can be considered a further development and improvement of old, traditional diets, there is huge potential to formulate a Nordic diet that benefits both human and planetary health. It is time for concerted engagement and actions—a new Nordic nutrition transition

Results from the Sweden 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Background: The Sweden 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity (PA) for Children and Youth is a unique compilation of the existing physical and health related data in Sweden. The aim of this paper is to summarize the procedure and results from the report card. Methods: Nationally representative surveys and individual studies between 2005-2015 were included. Eleven PA and health indicators were graded using the Active Healthy Kids Canada grading system. Grades were assigned based on the percentage of children/youth meeting a defined benchmark (A: 81-100%, B: 61-80%, C: 41-60%, D: 21-40%, F: 0-20%, or incomplete (INC). Results: The assigned grades were: Overall Physical Activity, D; Organized Sport Participation, B+; Active Play, INC; Active Transportation, C+; Sedentary Behaviors, C; Family and Peers, INC; School, C+; Community and the Built Environment, B; Government Strategies and Investments, B; Diet, C-; and Obesity, D. Conclusion: The included data provides some support that overall PA is too low and sedentary behavior is too high for almost all age groups in Sweden, even with the many national policies as well as an environment that is favorable to the promotion of PA

The Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2022-prioritisation of topics for de novo systematic reviews

Background: As part of the process of updating national dietary reference values (DRVs) and food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs), the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2022 project (NNR2022) will select a limited number of topics for systematic reviews (SRs). Objective: To develop and transparently describe the results of a procedure for prioritisation of topics that may be submitted for SRs in the NNR2022 project. Design: In an open call, scientists, health professionals, national food and health authorities, food manufacturers, other stakeholders and the general population in the Nordic and Baltic countries were invited to suggest SR topics. The NNR2022 Committee developed scoping reviews (ScRs) for 51 nutrients and food groups aimed at identifying potential SR topics. These ScRs included the relevant nominations from the open call. SR topics were categorised, ranked and prioritised by the NNR2022 Committee in a modified Delphi process. Existing qualified SRs were identified to omit duplication. Results: A total of 45 nominations with suggestion for more than 200 exposure-outcome pairs were received in the public call. A number of additional topics were identified in ScRs. In order to omit duplication with recently qualified SRs, we defined criteria and identified 76 qualified SRs. The NNR2022 Committee subsequently shortlisted 52 PI/ECOTSS statements, none of which overlapped with the qualified SRs. The PI/ ECOTSS statements were then graded 'High' (n = 21), 'Medium' (n = 9) or 'Low' (n = 22) importance, and the PI/ECOTSS statements with 'High' were ranked in a Delphi process. The nine top prioritised PI/ECOTSS included the following exposure-outcome pairs: 1) plant protein intake in children and body growth, 2) pulses/ legumes intake, and cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, 3) plant protein intake in adults, and atherosclerotic/cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, 4) fat quality and mental health, 5) vitamin B12 and vitamin B12 status, 6) intake of white meat (no consumption vs. high consumption and white meat replaced with red meat), and all-cause mortality, type 2 diabetes and risk factors, 7) intake of n-3 LPUFAs from supplements during pregnancy, and asthma and allergies in the offspring, 8) nuts intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes in adults, 9) dietary fibre intake (high vs. low) in children and bowel function. Discussion: The selection of topics for de novo SRs is central in the NNR2022 project, as the results of these SRs may cause adjustment of existing DRVs and FBDGs. That is why we have developed this extensive process for the prioritisation of SR topics. For transparency, the results of the process are reported in this publication. Conclusion: The principles and methodologies developed in the NNR2022 project may serve as a framework for national health authorities or organisations when developing national DRVs and FBDGs. This collaboration between the food and health authorities in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden represents an international effort for harmonisation and sharing of resources and competence when developing national DRVs and FBDGs.Peer reviewe

Infant Anemia and Micronutrient Status : Studies of Early Determinants in Rural Bangladesh

Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in infancy are common in low-income settings. These are partly due to maternal malnutrition and may impair child health and development. We studied the impact of maternal food and micronutrient supplementation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), growth and infection on infant anemia and micronutrient status. In the MINIMat trial in Matlab, Bangladesh, pregnant women were randomized to Early or Usual promotion of enrolment in a food supplementation program and to one of three daily micronutrient supplements. Capsules containing 400µg folic acid and (a) 30 mg iron (Fe30Fol), (b) 60 mg iron (Fe60Fol), (c) 30 mg iron and other micronutrients (MMS) were provided from week 14 of gestation. Capsule intake was assessed with the eDEM device recording supplement container openings. Blood samples (n=2377) from women at week 14 and 30 were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb). Duration of EBF and infant morbidity was based on monthly maternal recalls. Infants were weighed and measured monthly. Blood samples (n=1066) from 6-months-old infants were analyzed for Hb and plasma ferritin, zinc, retinol, vitamin B12 and folate. In women, Hb increase per capsule reached a plateau at 60 Fe60Fol capsules, indicating that nine weeks of daily supplementation produced maximum Hb response. Anemia was common (36%) at capsule intakes &gt;60 indicating other causes of anemia than iron deficiency. In infants, vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was lower in the MMS (26.1%) than in the Fe30Fol group (36.5%), (p=0.003) and zinc deficiency prevalence was lower in the Usual than in the Early group. There were no other differential effects of food or micronutrient supplementation on infant anemia or micronutrient status. Infants exclusively breast-fed for 4-6 months had a higher mean plasma zinc concentration (9.9±2.3 µmol/L) than infants exclusively breast-fed for &lt;4 months (9.5±2.0 µmol/L), (p&lt; 0.01). No other differences in anemia, iron or zinc status were observed between EBF categories. Infection, low birth weight and iron deficiency were independent risk factors for infant anemia. Regardless of studied interventions, prevalence of anemia (43%), deficiency of zinc (56%), vitamin B12, vitamin A (19%) and iron (22%) in infancy was high and further preventive strategies are needed.MINIMa

Infant Anemia and Micronutrient Status : Studies of Early Determinants in Rural Bangladesh

Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in infancy are common in low-income settings. These are partly due to maternal malnutrition and may impair child health and development. We studied the impact of maternal food and micronutrient supplementation, duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), growth and infection on infant anemia and micronutrient status. In the MINIMat trial in Matlab, Bangladesh, pregnant women were randomized to Early or Usual promotion of enrolment in a food supplementation program and to one of three daily micronutrient supplements. Capsules containing 400µg folic acid and (a) 30 mg iron (Fe30Fol), (b) 60 mg iron (Fe60Fol), (c) 30 mg iron and other micronutrients (MMS) were provided from week 14 of gestation. Capsule intake was assessed with the eDEM device recording supplement container openings. Blood samples (n=2377) from women at week 14 and 30 were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb). Duration of EBF and infant morbidity was based on monthly maternal recalls. Infants were weighed and measured monthly. Blood samples (n=1066) from 6-months-old infants were analyzed for Hb and plasma ferritin, zinc, retinol, vitamin B12 and folate. In women, Hb increase per capsule reached a plateau at 60 Fe60Fol capsules, indicating that nine weeks of daily supplementation produced maximum Hb response. Anemia was common (36%) at capsule intakes &gt;60 indicating other causes of anemia than iron deficiency. In infants, vitamin B12 deficiency prevalence was lower in the MMS (26.1%) than in the Fe30Fol group (36.5%), (p=0.003) and zinc deficiency prevalence was lower in the Usual than in the Early group. There were no other differential effects of food or micronutrient supplementation on infant anemia or micronutrient status. Infants exclusively breast-fed for 4-6 months had a higher mean plasma zinc concentration (9.9±2.3 µmol/L) than infants exclusively breast-fed for &lt;4 months (9.5±2.0 µmol/L), (p&lt; 0.01). No other differences in anemia, iron or zinc status were observed between EBF categories. Infection, low birth weight and iron deficiency were independent risk factors for infant anemia. Regardless of studied interventions, prevalence of anemia (43%), deficiency of zinc (56%), vitamin B12, vitamin A (19%) and iron (22%) in infancy was high and further preventive strategies are needed.MINIMa

“We vote with our feeling” : Young People’s Political Interests and Choice of News Channels Ahead of the 2022 Parliamentary Election

AbstractTitelsida: “Vi röstar på känsla”: Ungas politiska intresse och val av nyhetskanaler inför riksdagsvalet 2022Författare: Hanna Eneroth &amp; Viktoria Vracar Examensarbete i Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap, 15 hp Konst, kultur och kommunikation (K3)Fakulteten kultur och samhälleMalmö Universitet Handledare: Matts Skagshöj Examinator: Fredrik Edin Höstterminen 2022 Sociala medier har gjort det möjligt för människor att enklare vara en del av nyhetsdelning och att producera nyheter. Ett resultat av detta är att det finns möjligheter för var och en att influera och bli mer involverade i nyhetsförmedling, men samtidigt förekommer det risker. Det har visat sig vara vanligt att vilseledande information sprids genom sociala medier där det snabbt kan nå en stor grupp med människor, vilket i sin tur kan resultera i falska bilder av verkligheten. I denna studie har teorier så som användningsteorin och Cultural Studies förts samman för en analys. Syftet är att undersöka och beskriva hur unga vuxna exponeras av nyheter på sociala medier och hur de upplever det. Vi har också studerat hur unga vuxna tar del av nyheter på sociala medier respektive traditionella nyhetsmedier. Utgångspunkten i vår studie har varit att undersöka hur politisk information på olika plattformar influerar unga vuxna och om det kan påverka vår demokrati. Vi undersökte dessa frågor genom att göra individuella intervjuer med deltagare av en ung åldersgrupp mellan åldrarna 18-20 där vi diskuterade olika teman såsom: Riksdagsvalet 2022, nyhetskonsumtion på medier och trovärdigheten på sociala medier. Flertal vetenskapliga studier bekräftar vårt resultat om effekten av hur unga vuxna tar del i det politiska samtalet. Unga vuxna har visat sig vara väldigt aktiva på sociala medier där de också konsumerar mycket av sitt nyhetsintag – vilket också är varför vi valde denna åldersgrupp i vår studie. Vårt slutresultat visar att unga vuxna oftast tar del av nyheter på sociala medier. De är medvetna om att informationen på sociala medier inte alltid är pålitlig, men att undgå nyheterna är svårt. Inför valet hösten 2022 var deltagandet i det politiska samtalet stort bland intervjupersonerna. Mycket var till för att influera den unga publiken till att rösta på diverse partier. Intervjupersonerna märkte av detta och blev både medvetet och omedvetet påverkade av det som de tog del av. Däremot hade inte all information på sociala medier ett politiskt syfte, det fanns också underhållande inlägg och videos