(P17-005-25) Exploring the Impact of Dietary Substitutions on Carbon Footprint and Nutritional Quality in the Korean Population

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of simple dietary substitutions on reducing carbon footprints and improving dietary quality among the Korean population. Building upon previous research conducted in the United States, this study focuses on identifying environmentally sustainable and nutritionally beneficial dietary shifts tailored to Korean dietary patterns.

Methods: The dietary intake data reported by children and adults participating in the 2022-2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is used to identify the carbon footprint contributions and nutritional profiles of four major food groups: mixed dishes, protein foods, milk and dairy products, and non-alcoholic beverages. Scenarios involving dietary substitutions, such as replacing beef with chicken in mixed dishes, were modeled. Carbon emissions data were derived from regional life cycle analysis (LCA) studies, and dietary quality changes were assessed using a standardized nutritional scoring system. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS version 9.4, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) program, applying complex sampling design analysis with stratification (KSTRATA), and weight (Weight). The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05 for all analyses.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that substituting beef with chicken in mixed dishes could reduce the dietary carbon footprint in Korea by approximately 12%. When substitutions were extended across other food groups, including replacing dairy with plant-based alternatives, total carbon footprint reductions reached up to 20%. These substitutions also improved dietary quality by 5–8%, with the largest gains observed in protein and mixed-dish categories. Benefits were consistent across age and gender groups.

Conclusions: Adopting small dietary changes, such as substituting high-carbon foods with lower-impact alternatives, has significant potential to reduce carbon footprints and enhance nutritional quality within the Korean population. These findings highlight the importance of culturally specific approaches to dietary sustainability and health promotion.

Funding Sources: This research was supported by a grant (RS-2024-00331797) from Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Republic of Korea, in 2025.