Men-watch what your wives eat

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 17, 22 September 1987, Page 6

Men-watch what your wives eat

If men want to look good, feel better and live longer, they could look more closely at what their partners are eating, according to a recent Auckland University study. A study of 50 middleclass European women in Auckland has revealed that they know what a healthy diet is. However, persuading their men to eat these foods is not easy. They reported that their partners wanted too much meat too often and demanded white bread. The study, "For Health's Sake: Women's Healthkeeping in Central . Auckland" was carried out by two Auckland University anthropologists, Anne Chambers and Judith MacDonald. They found that 47 of the 50 women interviewed took the main responsibility for the health of their families. Only three said they shared the responsi-

bility with their partners. While most of the married women worried about their husband's health, they often felt it was not their responsibility to insist on lifestyle changes. Some of those who intervened regretted that their attempts to care for their husbands were often sabotaged by the men's unwillingness to eat a healthy diet. "It would be good if these men took more notice of what their partners eat. Women's knowledge of healthy diet tends to be very close to that of the Department of Health's nutrition guidelines," says departmental dietitian, Mary Louise Hannah. The study showed that this group of women avoid sugary foods, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and choose wholemeal breads". "These findings pose a challenge to men to take a greater interest in their food habits. An important step is to realise there are benefits from eating healthier food. What you eat and how you feel are closely related," she said. "However, this does not mean limiting the range of food you eat. There is an enormous range of exciting foods to choose from. The key word is: experiment!"