Women, men and food: the significance of gender for nutritional attitudes and choices

Abstract

This article reports the results of the re‐analysis of a substantial set of survey based quantitative data relating to food beliefs, practices and preferences. The particular focus of attention was upon gender contrasts. Several statistically significant differences between men and women were identified. These differences occurred in such areas as views on food and health, the ethical dimensions of food production and food selection, nutritional attitudes and choices, dietary change, food work and body image. Two distinctive patterns emerged, which the authors termed “virtuous” and “robust”, the former exhibiting attitudes more typical of women, and the latter attitudes more typical of men.

Citation

Beardsworth, A., Bryman, A., Keil, T., Goode, J., Haslam, C. and Lancashire, E. (2002), "Women, men and food: the significance of gender for nutritional attitudes and choices", British Food Journal, Vol. 104 No. 7, pp. 470-491. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700210418767