ETD

• Dieta mediterranea
• Dieta occidentale
• Dieta vegana
• Dieta vegetariana
• Impatto ambientale
• LCA

This study investigated the environmental impact of three dietary patterns: Mediterranean, Western, and vegetarian, by measuring the carbon footprint linked to eating habits using LCA data from the LiveLCA platform. A single vegan participant was included in the vegetarian group to ensure data reliability. Data were collected through a questionnaire on consumption frequency, portion size, and sustainability-related behaviors. Statistical analyses (chi-square and MCA) examined associations between diet and food consumption. Results show average footprints of 16.14 kg CO2eq (Mediterranean), 18.46 kg CO2eq (Western), and 17.04 kg CO2eq (vegetarian), with no significant differences. Environmental impact depends not only on food type but also on consumption frequency, quantity, and timing. High-emission foods are consumed less frequently in balanced diets, while plant-based foods, with lower impact, are eaten more often. Sustainability can be achieved through conscious, moderate food choices, viewing diet as a complex system where quantity, quality, and frequency of consumption interact to determine overall environmental impact.