Nutritional parameters of diets advertised in the lay press aimed at male and female public

Abstract

Objective: To analyze nutritional parameters of generic diets advertised in the press intended for male and female audience.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive observational study. Four publications targeted to women and two for male public were selected based on the periodicity, circulation, readership and publication years. These publications were analyzed for one year, from July 2009 to June 2010. The nutrients evaluated were: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and cholesterol, as well as information about the duration of the diet, fluid intake, physical activity and diet maintenance.

Results: The duration of the diets were between 1 and 10 days and not much has been found concerning the use of fluids and maintenance diet. As for physical activity, emphasis was placed only on a male magazine. It was noted a wide variation in the energy content, as well as macronutrient and micronutrient between the diets analyzed, with the greatest inadequacy related to carbohydrates. The average caloric value to women's magazines and men were, respectively, 1113±151 and 1727±179 kcal. There was a shortfall of the micronutrients analyzed, highlighting the deficiencies in the supply of calcium, iron and vitamins A and E.

Conclusions: Diets published in the lay press present short duration and come, only in some cases, accompanied by information on physical activity and fluid intake. In relation to the nutritional value, they present a reduced intake of energy and nutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals, if taken for a long period of time.