We all know that leading a healthy lifestyle is key to decreasing the risk of developing various types of medical conditions. Eating fruits and vegetables, which are natural food items rich in vitamins and minerals, serve as the strongest factor in preventing disease. The current recommended daily diet of two cups of fruits is thus beneficial to an individual. For health-conscious people, fruits and vegetables are generally part of their daily diet, including sufficient amounts of protein and carbohydrates.
Fruits and Vegetables – Let’s Talk Gender
However, did you know that men tend to eat less fruits and vegetables than women? According to recent medical report, this gender difference in the daily diet also reflects the amount of vitamins and minerals that the body receives and indirectly, the amount of antioxidants and protection against diseases. For example, fruits are usually consumed based on their taste and its health benefits. Furthermore, earlier studies have shown that people who eat greater amounts of fruits have a lower risk of developing weight problems such as obesity. Also, those who consume fruits are also less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It has also been reported that consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of memory loss.
The Medical Report Explaining Fruits and Vegetables
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The recent medical report presented the current problem of gender differences in consuming fruits and other plant-based food items. The authors of the report explained that although this difference has been observed for the last couple of decades, this gap between men and women is now widening, as reflected in their studies. The report showed that women have increased their intake of fruits and all other types of vegetables in the past 10 years, whereas men have shown the same smaller amount of consumption of food items rich in vitamins and minerals.
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An interesting finding of this research study involved various psychosocial factors that are associated with eating certain types of food items. The report thus discussed that knowledge of the health benefits of fruits may partially influence the amount and type of food items that people eat on a regular basis. It is thus possible that women possess a greater awareness that plant-derived food items are rich in vitamins and minerals, which may be helpful in fighting diseases. On the other hand, men tend to be less concerned about health benefits of certain food items and are more involved in identifying food items that can provide strength and stamina.
The report also discussed that people tend to follow a behavioral pattern for eating; this behavior involves a combination of attitudes, perception, and control of food items consumed on a regular basis. The authors explained that each of these factors is fueled by personal and possibly cultural beliefs regarding specific food items.
A Specific Food Group – Fruits
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First, the attitude of an individual towards a specific food category such as fruits either increases or decreases his or her consumption of that food type. It may also be possible that a certain food type is associated with favorable or unfavorable results to their bodies.
Second, perception involves the ease in consuming a specific food item, including purchasing these at a grocery or whether this is available at almost every commercial establishment. It is thus possible that men are less likely to spend time in the grocery store to search for nutritious food items to eat. Third, the control of food items consumed by each gender is associated with social pressure, in which men are motivated to eat certain items that they feel helpful in maintaining their stamina instead of enhancing their health benefits.
Behavioral Patterns with Fruits and Vegetables
The behavioral pattern among genders thus reflects healthy eating and indirectly, predicts the types of diseases that may develop. The recent medical report thus provides the reader a better understanding on how individuals choose their food items and their lifestyles. The report may also help healthcare professionals in increasing their efforts in campaigning for healthy meals and activities to decrease the risk of developing specific diseases.
