Gendeŕ-specific food preferences measured by the graphic scale method
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| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Introduction Food preferences belong to the major factors affecting people’s actual food choices. Liking for particular foods is therefore a potential contributor to health behaviour not only at the individual, but also at the population level. Objective The aim of the study was to explore and analyze potential gender differences in food preferences. Design and Method The sample consisted of 451 respondents in 4 age groups: children (Mean age 12 yrs), adolescents (Mean age 15 yrs), young adults (Mean age 25 yrs), and elderly people (Mean age 68 years). The proportion of females ranged from 45% (children) to 78% (elderly). A graphic scale questionnaire assessing food preference was used; respondents rated their preference by marking a point on a 35 mm unsegmented line. When evaluated, the 115 foods listed in the questionnaire were arbitrarily divided into 3 groups: ‘healthy‘ foods (according to dietary recommendations; together 53 items), ‘unhealthy‘ foods (48 items), and ‘neutral’ foods (14 items). Results Regardless of healthiness, the overall preference for all foods was greater in men than in women (F = 9.57, p < 0.01) and decreased slightly with age (F = 5.02, p < 0.01). Gender differences were most marked for smoked meat products and other unhealthy foods, which were all more preferred by men. Out of 15 foods in which gender differences were the greatest, 12 were animal products. Thus, preference for ‘unhealthy‘ foods was significantly greater in men (p < 0.001). In both genders, however, it decreased with age. Conclusion While healthy foods were generally preferred by both genders, and men rated most foods higher than women, women showed less preference for foods in unhealthy category than men did. This suggests that women might be more likely to engage in certain types of health-protective behaviour and less likely to engage in risk behaviours. |