Feraco Alessandra, Gorini Stefania, Camajani Elisabetta, Filardi Tiziana, Karav Sercan, Cava Edda, Strollo Rocky, Padua Elvira, Caprio Massimiliano, Armani Andrea, Lombardo Mauro
Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, Rome, 00166, Italy.
Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, San Raffaele Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, Rome, 00166, Italy.
J Transl Med. 2024 Dec 18;22(1):1112. doi: 10.1186/s12967-024-05965-3.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06654674).
已知饮食模式和身体活动中的性别差异会影响代谢健康，但使用主成分分析（PCA）探索这些差异的研究有限。本研究旨在确定男性和女性在饮食行为、身体成分和身体活动方面的不同模式，以便制定针对性的干预措施。
对2509名前往代谢健康中心的成年人进行了一项横断面研究。通过问卷调查和生物电阻抗分析收集饮食习惯、身体活动和身体成分的数据。使用主成分分析来确定饮食行为和身体活动的模式。进行统计分析以探索性别特异性差异。
基于主成分分析，确定了五组不同的参与者：均衡饮食者、注重家庭烹饪者、常规饮食者、热爱餐厅就餐者和多样化饮食者。观察到食物偏好存在显著的性别差异，男性摄入更多肉类，女性摄入更多蔬菜。男性还报告更多地参与力量和耐力运动，而女性的饮食习惯更规律。
本研究使用主成分分析揭示了饮食、身体活动和身体成分方面的性别特异性模式。主成分分析确定了五个不同的行为组，表明男性倾向于摄入更多肉类并进行力量训练，而女性则坚持结构合理、富含蔬菜的饮食。与传统分析相比，主成分分析的应用提供了更多见解，突出了性别特异性行为的复杂性。这些结果强调了针对性干预措施的必要性，重点是增加男性的蔬菜摄入量并鼓励女性进行力量训练。未来的研究应利用主成分分析纵向探索行为模式，以制定更精细和个性化的健康策略。
本研究已在ClinicalTrials.gov（NCT06654674）上注册。
