Different body components associate differently with diet quality and physical activity in men and in women: a cross-sectional analysis.

Age showed the strongest positive association with fat mass index (FMI) and visceral fat (VAT) in both sexes.

• Data came from 2021 of a cohort study of the Swiss general population, including 435 persons aged 19-84 years.
• Multivariable linear regression models were run separately by sex, with age, education, and place of residence as confounders.
• Outcomes were BMI, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), FMI, and VAT, measured by bioimpedance analysis.

Physical activity was negatively associated with body fat measures in both sexes, especially in men.

• The abstract states PA was negatively associated with FMI and VAT, 'especially in men'.
• Models were adjusted for age, education, and place of residence.

Physical activity was associated with BMI in men but not in women.

• This sex-specific association was found in the sex-stratified multivariable linear regression models.

Overall diet quality was associated with body composition measures in women but not in men.

• Diet was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire.
• Sex-stratified models showed associations between diet quality and body composition only in women.

Meat consumption was positively associated with SMI and FMI in women but not in men.

• The association was seen for both skeletal muscle mass index and fat mass index in women.
• No such association was found in men.

In men, fruit and wholegrain food consumption were negatively associated with FMI.

• This association was reported for men specifically.
• Food groups were derived from the food frequency questionnaire.

VAT was negatively associated with fruit intake in women, and with fruit and wholegrain intake in men.

• Fruit was inversely associated with VAT in both sexes.
• Wholegrain foods were inversely associated with VAT only in men.

The sex-specific patterns are consistent with evolutionary hypotheses on sex-specific energy allocation and may inform more precise diet recommendations.

• The authors note sex differences in the metabolism of different foods and in the response to physical activity.
• Findings suggest that diet components relate to specific body compartments differently in men and women.