Planetary Health Diet, Socioeconomic Inequalities, and CKD and Mortality Risk

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The Planetary Health Diet (PHD) is known for human and environmental benefits, but its effects on chronic kidney diseases (CKD) in socioeconomically deprived populations are not well understood.
• Socioeconomic deprivation may influence the impact of dietary patterns on health outcomes, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between PHD adherence and kidney function, CKD, mortality, and environmental impacts.
• To evaluate the moderating role of socioeconomic deprivation on these associations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 125,581 UK Biobank and 35,021 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) participants.
• Cox proportional-hazards models, logistic regression, and multiple linear regression were used to assess associations.
• Multiplicative interactions between PHD scores and socioeconomic deprivation indices were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Higher PHD scores were associated with improved kidney function (eGFR) and reduced CKD prevalence and all-cause mortality in both cohorts.
• PHD adherence correlated with lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use, but increased water consumption.
• Stronger benefits of PHD on kidney health and mortality were observed in socioeconomically deprived individuals.

Conclusions:

• The Planetary Health Diet is linked to better kidney health, reduced mortality, and lower environmental impact (GHG emissions, land use).
• PHD demonstrates significant health benefits, particularly for socioeconomically deprived populations, suggesting its potential to mitigate health inequities.
• PHD supports concurrent human and planetary health objectives.