Food for thought in study of men’s eating habits

Men are a disadvantaged group health-wise because of their relationship with food, a study reveals.

A report from Safefood found Irish men are generally less engaged with food, both in relation to food hygiene and healthy eating.

It found that men have less healthy diets, eat more fat and salt, less fruit and vegetables and tend to see food as fuel.

Men also show greater preference for larger portions of food and are less likely to be aware of healthy eating guidelines.

They are also less likely to regard healthy eating as an important factor influencing their long-term health.

More men than women are overweight or obese in Ireland and they are less likely to attempt to lose weight or to monitor their diet.

Currently, 70% of Irish men are overweight or obese, compared with 50% of women.

The report, Men’s Food Behaviour, is an overview of research on men and food behaviour across Ireland.

Safefood director of human health and nutrition, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, said that despite increases in life expectancy in both genders, men were at a distinct health disadvantage because of poor diet, high alcohol consumption and smoking.

“Our food environment and societal attitudes around masculinity play a role in influencing men’s food behaviour,” said Dr Foley-Nolan.

“When it comes to food skills such as planning, purchasing, shopping cooking and cleaning, women are more likely to be skilled in this area and still do most of the work,” she said.

Dr Foley-Nolan said there was an abundance of data on men and women’s food intake and dietary patterns, but few studies had exclusively examined men’s attitudes and behaviours in relation to food and health.

The Safefood report found that although more men than women are overweight or obese, men are less likely to attempt to lose weight or monitor their diet.

Also, men’s role with food tends to be more about ‘occasion’ cooking rather than day-to-day activity.

Safefood’s scientific support manager, Dr Aileen McGloin, said some men were the main cook at home and had excellent food skills.

However, the report showed that the balance still tipped towards women when it came to food skills and cooking.

She pointed out that men were less likely to learn how to cook at home or in school. Boys were nine times less likely to take up Home Economics and the subject was less likely to be offered in boys’ schools.