The Gender-Related Differences of Nutrient Intakes in a Group of Italian Obese Patients Display the Ongoing Transition from Mediterranean to Western Dietary Patterns

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare nutrients and energy intakes between obese women and men and the variation rates over or below the recommended dietary allowances. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted on the records of obese patients, categorized into gender-related groups (36 women, 36 men). Total energy and nutrient intakes were determined. Results: The highest variation rates were found for animal protein, averaging 225 % over the recommended dietary allowance, without significant differences between women and men. The simple carbohydrate intake was quite elevated in women with variations almost 80 % over the RDA, significantly higher than in men (22 %). Conclusion: The consumption of high-protein foods in both sexes, and even more the association with high-simple-carbohydrate foods in women, display the Westernization of traditional eating habits. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.