DIETARY PATTERNS OF MEN AND WOMEN SUGGEST TARGETS FOR HEALTH PROMOTION - THE FRAMINGHAM NUTRITION STUDIES

Purpose. The goal of the study was to characterize the dietary pattern s of adult men and women. Design. The study used a cross-sectional ana lysis of food consumption behaviors and nutrient intake measured from 1984 through 1988. Setting. The Framingham Offspring/Spouse Study, Fra mingham, Massachusetts. Subjects. The population-based sample comprise d 1831 men and 1828 women between 20 and 70 years of age. Measures. Di etary patterns were defined by cluster analyses, which used the estima tes of usual daily food intake from food frequency questionnaires, and the patterns were compared with Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. N utrient intakes were independently estimated from 24-hour recalls and compared with Year 2000 nutrition recommendations. Results. Cluster an layses identified five groups of men and five groups of women with dis tinctive dietary patterns. Men differed on intakes of all food groups except vegetables and snacks plus sweetened beverages. Specific dietar y behaviors, including low intakes of whole grains, fruits, vegetables , and other complex carbohydrates; high intakes of beer and liquor; an d high intakes of high-fat animal foods warrant targeted intervention messages for men. Women's patterns differed across all food groups exc ept red meats and fattier poultry and beer. Dietary behaviors of women that deserve attention include low fruit, vegetable, starch, adn dair y intakes; chronic dieting; high alcohol intake; and sources of hidden fats. No cluster met the current recommendations for food and nutrien t intake. Conclusions. Distinct dietary patterns in Framingham men and women vary in compliance with national nutrition and health policy ob jectives and provide insights for developing behavioral interventions to improve food and nutrient intake.