Gender differences in dietary patterns and physical activity: an insight with principal component analysis (PCA)

Abstract

Background: Gender differences in dietary patterns and physical activity are known to influence metabolic health, but research exploring these differences using principal component analysis (PCA) is limited. This study aims to identify distinct patterns of eating behaviour, body composition and physical activity between men and women, in order to develop tailored interventions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,509 adults attending a metabolic health centre. Data on eating habits, physical activity and body composition were collected by means of questionnaires and bioimpedance analysis. PCA was used to identify patterns of eating behaviour and physical activity. Statistical analyses were performed to explore gender-specific differences.

Results: Based on the PCA, five distinct groups of participants were identified: Balanced Eaters, Focused on Home Cooking, Routine Eaters, Restaurant Lovers and Varied Eaters. Significant gender differences in food preferences were observed, with men consuming more meat and women more vegetables. Men also reported greater participation in strength and endurance sports, while women showed a more structured eating routine.

Conclusions: This study, using principal component analysis (PCA), revealed gender-specific patterns in diet, physical activity and body composition. PCA identified five distinct behavioural groups, revealing that men tended to consume more meat and engage in strength training, while women adhered to structured, vegetable-rich diets. The application of PCA provided more insight than traditional analysis, highlighting the complexity of gender-specific behaviour. These results emphasize the need for tailored interventions, focusing on increasing vegetable intake in men and encouraging strength training in women. Future research should exploit PCA to explore behavioural patterns longitudinally for more refined and personalised health strategies.

Clinical trials registered: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06654674).

Keywords: Anthropometric analysis; BMI; Body composition; Dietary patterns; Eating behaviors; Fat mass; Gender differences; Physical activity; Principal component analysis (PCA); Sport.