Comparison of nutrient intake in middle-aged men and women runners and controls

Runners and other active individuals typically have plasma lipoprotein patterns different than their more sedentary peers. In an attempt to determine if these patterns could be explained by dietary differences, we studied nutrient intake in middle-aged (35-59 yr) men and women runners averaging 55-65 km/wk, and inactive controls. The runners were leaner (P less than or equal to 0.0001) and had higher caloric intakes (40-60% higher on a weight-adjusted basis); they also ate more fat and carbohydrate (P less than or equal to 0.01), and were more likely to consume alcoholic beverages. When nutrient intake was expressed as a percent of total calories, the runners ate less protein (P less than or equal to 0.001). The runners obtained a smaller percentage of calories from starch and a greater percentage from other carbohydrates. Differences in nutrient intake seemed unlikely to account for observed differences in plasma lipids and lipoproteins between the runners and controls.