Food preferences of men and women determined by questionnaire and feeding

Food preferences are usually determined by questionnaires using a hedonic scale, which was developed using servicemen. Recently feeding is being used to determine food preferences. This study investigated food preferences of men and women by questionnaire and feeding. The 110 men and women rated 54 foods for liking using a 9- point hedonic scale and indicated frequency of consumption. Two weeks later they tasted 12 foods from the questionnaire and rated them on the same scale. Analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of treatment (questionnaire versus feeding) and gender on hedonic scores for foods. Correlation analysis was used to determine relationships between hedonic scores and frequency of consumption of foods. Hedonic ratings by men and women did not differ significantly for most foods. Most foods that were rated significantly different by men and women were rated higher by women. Frequency of consumption of some foods was significantly greater for men than for women. Food liking and frequency of consumption)were significantly and positively related. Liking ratings for most foods did not differ significantly for questionnaire and feeding although the questionnaire yielded higher liking ratings for some foods. In conclusion, liking for most foods did not differ for men and women or for questionnaire and feeding