Age and Gender Related Disparities in Nutritional Intake: A Comparative Analysis of Dietary Intake Variations in the Gujjar Ethnic Group in North Kashmir

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the dietary intake variations of specific nutrients among different age and gender groups, as well as to elaborate on the potential significance of these differences.

Methods: The percentages of nutrient intake for males and females were tabulated across five age groups, and the deficiencies or surpluses were analysed. In order to determine the significant differences in nutrient intake across groups, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted, followed by post-hoc tests to provide additional insights.

Results: Male adults (19-60 years of age) and the elderly of both sexes suffer the greatest energy intake deficiencies, while male adolescents sometimes exceed recommended nutrient levels. There are notable patterns, such as a calcium surplus among female children between the ages of 1-6 years. An ANOVA indicates that there is a statistically significant difference in means between the groups, which is supported by a p-value of 0.05. Using the post-hoc Tukey test, we found that nutrient intakes fell into three categories.

Conclusion: There are consistently pronounced nutritional deficiencies among the elderly, particularly women. The nutrient intake of male adolescents can sometimes exceed the recommendations. The findings of this study highlight the need for targeted dietary interventions and guidelines tailored to specific demographics based on age and gender.