Dietary patterns and intake of nutrients, energy, and dietary fiber in medical students

The diet of 686 medical student at Hirosaki University were studies between 1986 to 1993. Food groups that showed a higher intake in males than in females were grains, meat, liquor, and others. On the other hand, the food groups that showed a higher intake in females were confectioneries, fruits, green vegetables, mushrooms, and seaweed. The nutrients that showed a higher intake in males than in females were energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and vitamins B1 and B2. On the other hand, only vitamin C showed a higher intake in females. Mean daily dietary fiber intake per student was 19.4 g by the Southgate method and 15.9 g by the Prosky method in males and 18.3 g by the Southgate method and 16.9 g by the Prosky method in females. These values were lower than the mean value for Japanese adults by about 4 g. Overall the intake from grains was disproportionately higher in males compared to females. Energy and nutrient intakes met recommended dietary allowance except for energy in females which was lower (93.7%).