We are all different. However, studies of eating behavior have identified a few main types of eating. This kind of approach doesn’t have to be taken literally, but it can be interesting to use it to find a little for yourself and benefit from the corresponding nutritional advice.
OCA (Observatory of Food Consumption) and CRéDOC (Research Center for the Study and Control of Living Conditions) have proposed a classification for consumers over the age of eighteen. Analysis of food consumed within seven days made it possible to distinguish Six main consumer profiles based on their eating habits. These groups, ranked from 1 to 6, are distinguished by the nutritional diversity of their diet: group 1 has a more varied diet than group 2, and so on. These differences are largely explained by differences in fruit and vegetable consumption, respectively two and three times greater in group 1 than in group 6.
Group 1: Assorted small eaters
This group makes up 15% of the population. It consists mainly of women (80%), two thirds of whom are over forty-five years old. The diet of a diverse small eater is relatively balanced. It is characterized by low calories and high consumption of fruits and vegetables. Spread obesity Low in this group, despite the average age.
Nutritional advice:
- Maintain dietary diversity.
- If your total caloric intake is less than 1,500 calories per day, avoid the risks Shortcomings By eating more starchy foods such as pasta, rice, bread and grain products.
Group 2: A large variety of food
This group represents 14% of the population, 35% of whom live in the Paris region. The vast majority of it consists of men between the ages of twenty-five and fifty-four years old. A large, varied eater is a varied, energy-dense diet. Consumption of bread, butter, meat and sauces Sugar It is important. Obesity and overweight are common in this group.
Nutritional advice:
- Maintain dietary diversity, but reduce the consumption of high-calorie foods.
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as physical activity.
Group 3: Standard food
This group represents 27% of the population, the majority of whom are women and two-thirds over the age of forty-five. It is characterized by the absence of food preferences and the level of consumption of all food categories is close to average. There are many retirees and employees. The eating habits of this group can be representative of the traditional French diet. Frequent weight gain there.
Nutritional advice:
- Keep food diversification, following recommendations a little more closely to achieve a balanced diet: less fruits and vegetables and foods with fewer calories, for example.
- Increase physical activity.
Group 4: Young Eaters
This group represents 14% of the population, with a slight majority of men and three-quarters of people aged between eighteen and thirty-four years old. Many of them are from the Paris region. Young eaters are the biggest consumers of sweet cookies, rice, pasta, soft drinks and chocolate. low frequency of obesity In this group the mean life is explained which is very low. The problem is knowing the consumer profile that these young eaters will develop with age.
Nutritional advice:
- Diversify your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables and reduce sweets.
- Prevent risk obesity By restoring good eating habits, fighting a sedentary lifestyle and enhancing physical activities.
Group 5: Young eaters in a hurry
This group represents 18% of the population. It is made up mostly of women (70%) rather than young people – two-thirds of them are under 50 years old. Calories are low, as in group 1, but their nutritional diversity is limited. Small eaters in a hurry are the highest consumers of pastries, pizza and quiches, but the frequency of weight gain an do besity weak. This group is in danger loss Important, take folic acid and calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and fiber remain low.
Nutritional advice:
- Restore diversity to prevent it Shortcomings.
- Increase calories.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and starches.
- Reduce your intake of sugary or fatty foods.
Group 6: Big, monotonous eaters
This group represents 12% of the general population. It consists mainly of men between the ages of twenty-five and fifty-four. Energy intakes are important and dietary diversity is very low. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is high, it accounts for 20% of the total calories consumed. Heavy monotonous eating consumes a lot of cheese, cold cuts, organ meats, potatoes and coffee. weight gain an do besity Frequent in this group where we find 44% of workers or employees with a low income level and little knowledge of nutrition.
Nutritional advice:
- Eating behavior should be reconsidered in the face of significant risks of obesity.
- Eat more diversely and restore eating habits close to official recommendations.
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, and less fatty or sugary products.
- Reducing the intake of alcoholic beverages.