Eating and dieting differences in men and women

Abstract

There are some considerable gender-specific differences in many areas of nutrition. Several of them already emerge in childhood or adolescence. Women have a higher awareness and better knowledge of nutrition than men. They also seek nutrition counselling more frequently than men do. Women eat more fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk, dairy products and whole grain products, whereas the consumption of red meat, particularly pork, sausages, eggs, alcohol, high sucrose foods is higher in men. Gender-specific differences are also obvious as far as nutrient intake and recommendations for the dietary allowances are concerned. Men's approach towards nutrition is uncomplicated and pleasure orientated whereas women rather have an ambivalent attitude. They are less satisfied with their weight. Restrained eating, dieting and eating disorders are much more common in women. Men, however, control their weight with exercising and implement diets only for health reasons. Women are more often affected by problems with their eating behaviour, such as craving for special foods, that men are.

The reasons for the different eating behaviours and the different attitudes towards nutrition can be found in psychological and socio-cultural factors. Prevalence of obesity is similar between the sexes, men are however more frequently overweight. Typically their body fat is distributed viscerally, which is associated with a higher risk of associated diseases. On the other hand visceral body fat can be reduced more easily and the potential benefits of weight loss are higher in people with visceral fat distribution.