SECOND OPINION

Men gnaw, women prefer to graze

March 26, 2008

 

Study: Men are from Mars and women from Venus not only emotionally, but also nutritionally. According to research presented at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, men prefer meat and poultry while women prefer fruits and vegetables.

Method: The conclusions are drawn from the most recent population survey of the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network. Between May 2006 and April 2007, more than 14,000 American adults were surveyed about their eating habits, including risky foods that could cause illness.

Background: "There was such a variety of data, we thought it would be interesting to see whether there were any gender differences," says lead researcher Dr. Beletshachew Shiferaw of Oregon's department of human services. "There have been studies in the literature on gender differences in eating habits, but nothing this extensive."

Claim: Men were significantly more likely to tuck in to meat and poultry products, especially duck, veal and ham. They were also more likely to eat certain types of seafood, such as shrimp and oysters.

Women were more likely to eat vegetables, particularly carrots and tomatoes, and such fruits as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and apples. Women also preferred dry foods such as almonds and walnuts and were more likely than men to consume eggs and yogurt.

Researchers also looked at the consumption of six risky foods: undercooked hamburger, runny or undercooked eggs, raw oysters, unpasteurized milk, cheese made from unpasteurized milk and alfalfa sprouts.

Men were significantly more likely to eat undercooked hamburgers and runny eggs, while women were more likely to eat alfalfa sprouts.

Caveats: Some exceptions to the general trends: men were more likely than women to eat asparagus and brussels sprouts while women were more likely to eat fresh hamburgers than men (who preferred frozen).

Second Opinion by Libby Stephens regularly examines health

studies. Source: News release.

 

Toronto Star

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