Comparison of nutrient intakes by male vs. female heads of households

Abstract

Nutrient intakes by male and female heads within a household were examined in regard to the feasibility of substituting dietary data of one partner for data of the other partner in diet/disease studies. Three-day individual food intake data from male and female heads of household were used when both members participated in the spring quarter of the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey 1977-78. The mean percentage of energy from fat was higher for male heads than for female heads, whereas the mean percentages of energy from protein and carbohydrate were higher for female heads than for male heads (p less than .05). However, the differences between male and female heads in percentages of energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrate were only 1.5 percentage points or less. At the current state of knowledge, that difference is too small to be associated with a difference in health status. In diet/disease studies involving percentages of energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrate, substitution of dietary data of one partner for data of the other partner does not appear likely to produce misleading results and, therefore, would not be precluded. Mean intakes of energy and all 12 nutrients examined as percentages of the RDAs differed significantly between male heads and female heads (p less than .05). In studies involving intakes of energy or any of the 12 nutrients examined, substitution of dietary data of one partner for data of the other partner is not recommended.