Ricerca
Cosa mangiano i nostri bambini: come far male a se stessi e anche all’ambiente
What italian children usually eat: how to harm ourselves and the environment
Rocca L, Lucaccioni L, Leo F, Azzalini D, Predieri B, Trevisani V, Righi E, Iughetti L, Palandri L.
Maggio 2025 - pagg. 305 -312 | DOI: 10.53126/MEB44305
Abstract
Background. The growth of the human population and expanding consumption patterns are among the primary causes of climate change and its health effects. The food system significantly contributes to the climate change, as it is responsible for 26% of CO2 emissions, uses 50% of habitable land and 70% of water resources and causes biodiversity loss. Animal-based and processed foods have a greater environmental impact and the widespread adoption of a western diet is unsustainable for both the planet and human health.
Materials and methods. This study examined the dietary habits of a paediatric sample (aged: 6 months-14 years) to assess adherence to guidelines by focusing on the consumption of high-impact foods. It also analysed whether school canteens promote a sustainable and healthy diet and assessed parents’ awareness of these issues and the role of paediatricians in disseminating this information, as well.
Results. The results showed an excessive consumption of meat (68%) and dairy products (49%), making the diet unsustainable for both human and planetary health. The school system, while promoting overall healthy eating, increases the consumption of high-impact foods already excessively consumed at home. There is a lack of parental awareness about what a healthy diet and its environmental impact are, topics that are also under-addressed by paediatricians. The paper highlights the need for a better training for paediatricians to promote healthy and sustainable diets.
Materials and methods. This study examined the dietary habits of a paediatric sample (aged: 6 months-14 years) to assess adherence to guidelines by focusing on the consumption of high-impact foods. It also analysed whether school canteens promote a sustainable and healthy diet and assessed parents’ awareness of these issues and the role of paediatricians in disseminating this information, as well.
Results. The results showed an excessive consumption of meat (68%) and dairy products (49%), making the diet unsustainable for both human and planetary health. The school system, while promoting overall healthy eating, increases the consumption of high-impact foods already excessively consumed at home. There is a lack of parental awareness about what a healthy diet and its environmental impact are, topics that are also under-addressed by paediatricians. The paper highlights the need for a better training for paediatricians to promote healthy and sustainable diets.
Riassunto
Introduzione. La crescita della popolazione umana e i modelli di consumo in espansione sono tra le principali cause del cambiamento climatico e dei suoi effetti sulla salute. Il sistema alimentare contribuisce significativamente al cambiamento climatico, essendo responsabile del 26% delle emissioni di CO2, utilizzando il 50% del suolo abitabile e il 70% delle risorse idriche, e causando perdita di biodiversità. I prodotti di origine animale e quelli processati hanno un impatto ambientale maggiore, e la diffusione di una dieta occidentale non è sostenibile né per il pianeta né per la salute umana.
Materiali e metodi. Questo studio ha esaminato le abitudini alimentari di un campione pediatrico (6 mesi - 14 anni) per valutarne l'aderenza alle linee guida, concentrandosi sul consumo di alimenti ad alto impatto ambientale. Abbiamo anche analizzato se la mensa scolastica favorisca un’alimentazione corretta e sostenibile, la consapevolezza dei genitori su questi temi e il ruolo dei pediatri nella loro diffusione.
Risultati. I risultati mostrano un eccessivo consumo di carne (68%) e prodotti caseari (49%), rendendo la dieta insostenibile per la salute umana e planetaria. Il sistema scolastico, pur promuovendo una dieta sana, aumenta il consumo di alimenti ad alto impatto ambientale già eccessivi in famiglia. È emersa una scarsa consapevolezza dei genitori su cosa sia una dieta sana e sul suo impatto ambientale, temi poco trattati anche dai pediatri. Questo evidenzia la necessità di una maggiore formazione per i pediatri per promuovere diete sane e sostenibili.
Materiali e metodi. Questo studio ha esaminato le abitudini alimentari di un campione pediatrico (6 mesi - 14 anni) per valutarne l'aderenza alle linee guida, concentrandosi sul consumo di alimenti ad alto impatto ambientale. Abbiamo anche analizzato se la mensa scolastica favorisca un’alimentazione corretta e sostenibile, la consapevolezza dei genitori su questi temi e il ruolo dei pediatri nella loro diffusione.
Risultati. I risultati mostrano un eccessivo consumo di carne (68%) e prodotti caseari (49%), rendendo la dieta insostenibile per la salute umana e planetaria. Il sistema scolastico, pur promuovendo una dieta sana, aumenta il consumo di alimenti ad alto impatto ambientale già eccessivi in famiglia. È emersa una scarsa consapevolezza dei genitori su cosa sia una dieta sana e sul suo impatto ambientale, temi poco trattati anche dai pediatri. Questo evidenzia la necessità di una maggiore formazione per i pediatri per promuovere diete sane e sostenibili.
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Corrispondenza: llucaccioni@unimore.it