Choice and liking for fat-rich foods: are there gender-related differences?

Many factors have been found to contribute to the development of food preferences. Environment (exposure and experience) and genetic predispositions play a central role in determining food selection and diet habits, in combination with personality traits and attitudes. Accordingly to the interest of consumers in fat intake reduction, this study aims at exploring the role of taste responsiveness, personality traits and attitudes on liking and choice of fat-rich foods in Italian consumers. Furthermore, the different attitudes, between females and males towards fat-rich products, were investigated, to define if and to what extent the preference for fat rich products is influenced by gender. Specifically, 1212 subjects (58% females), aged among 18 and 60 years old were characterized for responsiveness to PROP and fungiform papillae density, eating behaviors, food-related lifestyles, and personality traits (e.g. food neophobia, sensitivity to punishment and to reward). Familiarity, stated liking and choice for fat-rich foods were measured and analysed separately for males and females. Two choice indices for fat-rich foods were calculated as a sum of the choices of the more fat-rich option using a questionnaire developed to evaluate preferences within a pair of food items: the meat-based fat-rich foods index and the general fat-rich foods index (including meat-based, cheese-based, vegetable-based dishes and desserts). The large number of considered factors, together with the great sample size, were determinant in deeply describing the gender differences in terms of choice and liking for fat-rich products. This work is part of the Italian Taste project, a study of the Italian Sensory Science Society and of PRIN 2015 project (Prot. 20158YJW3W). Gender-related differences were explored as a case study of “PLOTINA - Promoting gender balance and inclusion in research, innovation and training “, founded by the EC within the H2020 Programme, GA no. 666008.