LAUSR

Consumers in Scotland responded to the rapid food price increases between 2007 and 2009 partly by buying less food. Energy from food and drink purchased and brought into the home decreased significantly between 2007 and 2012, from 8·6 to 8·2 MJ per adult equivalent per day. Household food and drink waste has also decreased since 2007. After accounting for the decrease in food waste, estimated energy intake was not different (7·3 and 7·2 MJ per adult equivalent per day for 2007 and 2012 respectively, p = 0·186). Dietary choices in Scotland contribute to it having one of the worst obesity records among developed countries, and are having significant environmental impacts. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of changes in food and drink purchases, and decreases in food waste, between 2007 and 2012 on diet associated greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and diet quality, and if changes differed by level of socio-economic status. Household level food and drink purchases (excluding those consumed outside the home) recorded by Kantar Worldpanel (KWP) were adjusted for waste using factors for the two years, and scaled for household composition, to give values per adult equivalent. GHGE of each household’s food and drink purchases were estimated by linking the 2091 food groups that were defined by KWP for retail purposes, to foods and environmental data. A Diet Quality Index (DQI) was calculated, based on the Revised Dietary Goals for Scotland (RDGS), with scoring from 0 (lowest) to 100 (highest). Socio-economic status was measured through the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).