Academic Journal
A two-phase optimization approach in designing sustainable hospital menus by integrating nutrition, cost, and environmental factors.
| Τίτλος: | A two-phase optimization approach in designing sustainable hospital menus by integrating nutrition, cost, and environmental factors. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Ehsanitabar F; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Yazdi SV; Department of Operations, Data and Artificial Intelligence, Emlyon Business School, Lyon, France., Arzehgar A; Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Zareian M; Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Seifi N; Department of Clinical Nutrition, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Khorasnachi Z; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. khorsanchiz@mums.ac.ir., Sobhani SR; Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. srsobhani@tums.ac.ir. |
| Πηγή: | Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2026 Apr 26; Vol. 16 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 26. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Nature Publishing Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101563288 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2045-2322 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20452322 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Rep Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: London : Nature Publishing Group, copyright 2011- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Food Service, Hospital*/economics , Menu Planning* , Nutritive Value*, Carbon Footprint ; Humans ; Iran ; Environment |
| Περίληψη: | The current pattern of food production and consumption in the world has put great pressure on the environment, so a shift towards sustainable diets seems more urgent than ever. Within this context, organizations such as hospitals offer valuable opportunities to promote sustainable eating practices. The aim of the present study is to design a menu that minimizes environmental impact and cost, while simultaneously maximizing nutrient-rich food (NRF). A two-phase linear optimization was conducted at Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, combining linear and goal programming to optimize the quantities of each food. In this regard, data on recipes, quantities, and prices were collected over a 461-day period in the hospital canteen. For each meal, NRF, water footprint, carbon footprint, and cost were calculated. Four different scenarios were developed, and the best scenario was used to design one-year meal plans that meet macronutrient targets for protein, fat, and carbohydrates, and maintain dietary variety. The optimized menu attained a 36% reduction in carbon footprint and a 42% reduction in water footprint, while enhancing NRF by 10% and reducing cost by 42% in comparison with the prevailing menu. The mean percentage change in fat and carbohydrates from the obtained menu was -7.5% and 6%, respectively, which ensured the mean percentage change in all macronutrient levels aligns with recommended guidelines. The results of this study showed that healthier menus can be designed with a smaller environmental footprint, while maintaining or even significantly reducing costs. (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval: This study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Approval No. IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1403.213). |
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| Grant Information: | 4022350 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260426 Date Completed: 20260622 Latest Revision: 20260813 |
| Update Code: | 20260813 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13284389 |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-026-49791-7 |
| PMID: | 42036420 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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