Gender differences in metabolic rate, reproductive functions and body structures mean women have more complex nutritional needs than men do. Adult women differ from men in their nutritional requirements predominately for biological and physiological reasons such as their hormonal changes across lifespan, adiposity, their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause (13). It is crucial to consider sex-specific differences in nutritional status for the impacts of diet, body weight, and energy balance on nutritional advice and dietary supplement use at different phases of life.
