Gender Differences in Eating Habits of Polish Young Adults Aged 20–26

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the nutritional behaviour of young adults depending on gender. A survey was conducted among 467 young adults using the “Questionnaire for the study of nutritional behaviour and opinions on food and nutrition”. Questions concerned the frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products. The questionnaire was supplemented by questions regarding the number of portions of fruits and vegetables consumed, putting sugar in drinks, putting salt in dishes and the number of glasses of water drunk. Differences in nutritional behaviours were determined using the χ2 test, at p < 0.05. The dietary choices of women more often than those of men corresponded to the principles of healthy nutrition, related to a greater number of meals consumed during the day, more frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables and the selection of products with lower energy value or preferring healthier methods of culinary processing. Health education programs should prevent the emergence of unfavourable dietary habits such as skipping breakfast or other meals or limiting the consumption of fruits and vegetables and frequently replacing them with high-energy snacks.

Determinants of Fish Intake and Complying with Fish Consumption Recommendations—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study among Secondary School Students in Poland

“…This is very much in line with the results from the German EsKiMo study according to which boys also consumed 50% more than girls—the median weekly intake among boys was 42 g, while among girls 28 g [ 53 ]. The higher fish intake among males, even though many studies indicate that women often have healthier food choices than men [ 54 , 55 , 56 ], might be due to the fact that men simply consume bigger food portions [ 57 , 58 ] and more energy [ 59 ], but also more animal protein [ 60 ] than women.…”

“…Moreover, in another study among Polish young adults aged 20–26, nine percent of them declared to consume fish and fish products several times a week, 31.5% once a week, 53.5% three times a month or less, and 6% declared not to consume fish at all. Interestingly, more men than women declared to consume them several times a week and once a week [ 55 ].…”

Congruence between Physical Activity Patterns and Dietary Patterns Inferred from Analysis of Sex Differences in Lifestyle Behaviors of Late Adolescents from Poland: Cophylogenetic Approach

“…The explanation could be more age variation in that study with a bias towards younger people. Other Polish studies showed that a number of hours spent in a sitting position, for both sexes, increases as age progresses [ 64 ]. Own results might suggest that males who were very active in leisure time needed a lot of time for rest and they could prefer passive resting in a sitting position, whilst in females sitting time could be a means of relaxation after strenuous work in the house and around the house.…”

Assessing gender differences in food preferences and physical activity: a population-based survey

“…Previous studies have shown that men and women tend to prefer divergent tastes and consume different types of food. Women usually show higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, increased dietary fiber intake, and lower fat intake, aligning with overall healthier food choices, thus demonstrating greater motivation for weight control ( 5 , 6 ).…”