Sex differences in nutrient gaps among active adults
Grant M Tinsley1, Marleigh Hefner2, Philip Sapp3
1Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
Journal of Nutritional Science
|January 16, 2026
Summary
Exercising adults, especially females, show nutrient gaps, with common underconsumption of vitamins C, D, and E. Future research should explore interventions to improve micronutrient intake and health outcomes in this population.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Nutrient gaps, defined as discrepancies between recommended and actual intakes, are typically assessed using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).
- While nutrient gaps are documented in the general population, their prevalence among exercising adults remains under-researched.
- Understanding these gaps is crucial for optimizing health and performance in physically active individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and extent of nutrient gaps in healthy exercising adults.
- To identify specific vitamins and minerals commonly underconsumed by this population.
- To examine potential sex-based differences in nutrient intake among exercising adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 681 dietary recalls from 226 healthy exercising adults (154 female, 72 male) via the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour (ASA24®) Dietary Assessment Tool.
- Compared intakes of seventeen vitamins and minerals against their respective EAR values to identify nutrient gaps.
- Analyzed data for sex differences in both absolute and relative micronutrient intakes.
Main Results:
- Median vitamin D intake fell below the EAR in both sexes; median vitamin E intake was below the EAR in females only.
- Over 50% of female participants had intakes below the EAR for calcium, folate, magnesium, vitamins A, C, D, and E.
- Over 50% of male participants had intakes below the EAR for vitamins C, D, and E; significant sex differences were observed for 16 of 17 micronutrients, with females exhibiting lower intakes.
Conclusions:
- Exercising adults, particularly females, demonstrate underconsumption of several key micronutrients.
- Significant sex differences exist in micronutrient intake patterns within this active population.
- Further research into targeted interventions is warranted to enhance vitamin and mineral intake, potentially improving health and performance outcomes in exercising adults.
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