P791 - GLOBAL HEALTH BURDEN OF PLANT-BASED FOOD INTAKE FROM 1990 TO 2021

P791

GLOBAL HEALTH BURDEN OF PLANT-BASED FOOD INTAKE FROM 1990 TO 2021

X. Lu^1,*, R. Bi¹, Y. Li¹, W. Shi¹, Z. Li¹, Y. Wang^2,3,4

¹Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, ²Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, ³Department of Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, ⁴Shanghai Hospital Development Center, Shanghai, China

Rationale: Insufficient intake of plant-based foods is linked to chronic diseases and mortality. However, data on global intake and health impacts amid lifestyle changes over the past two decades are limited. We assessed the health effects of low consumption of five plant-based foods—fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts—using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.

Methods: We analyzed 2021 intake levels of these foods, trends in summary exposure values (SEVs), and the attributable burden of insufficient intake from 1990 to 2021. Disease burden was measured using deaths and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).

Results: In 2021, global intake of all five food groups was inadequate: whole grains averaged 27.89 g/day (vs. recommended 160–210 g), fruits 120.81 g/day (vs. 340–350 g), vegetables 211.43 g/day (vs. 306–372 g), legumes 37.45 g/day (vs. 100–110 g), and nuts 7.68 g/day (vs. 19–24 g). Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) from 1990 to 2021 showed minimal growth for whole grains (0.15%) but 1.11–1.57% for others, reducing health burdens. Whole grain intake declined in 8 of 21 regions and 76 of 204 countries, notably in high-income Asia-Pacific (EAPC: -1.04, 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.88), Western Europe (-0.69, -0.71 to -0.66), and Australasia (-0.58, -0.71 to -0.44). SEVs for whole grains were higher in high Sociodemographic Index (SDI) regions (r > 0; p < 0.001), while SEVs for fruits, vegetables, and nuts were lower (r < 0; p < 0.001). Fruits and whole grains contributed most to deaths and DALYs, with rates at least double those of other foods. The burden declined most in high SDI regions, whereas low and lower-middle SDI regions exhibited stable trends.

Conclusion: Inadequate plant-based food intake is a global issue. Despite improvements, declining whole grain intake in high-income regions is concerning, while low-income countries face persistent health burdens.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared