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2 clusters · 9 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

AESAN nutritional report gender data controversy

Overview

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) initiated a review of a report concerning nutritional risks for women during menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause. The review was prompted by complaints from the Spanish Association of Women Researchers and Technologists (AMIT) and researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) regarding the document’s scientific rigor.

Critics noted that recommendations for vitamin C and iron intake were based on studies conducted exclusively on men. While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) typically includes disclaimers when extrapolating data from male studies due to a lack of female-specific research, the AESAN report omitted this warning.

Following these concerns, AESAN announced it would revise the report, acknowledging that it used male-based data to establish certain parameters without providing necessary warnings about the limitations. The situation has highlighted broader gender biases in scientific research, where male physiological data is frequently used as a default reference.

Entities

Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición · European Food Safety Authority · Spanish National Research Council · Asociación Española de Mujeres Investigadoras y Tecnólogas · AESAN

Timeline

  1. 14 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    AESAN revises nutritional report due to gender data bias

    AESAN is revising a report on nutritional risks during menopause after admitting it used data from male-centered studies, highlighting gender bias in scientific research.

  2. 17 days ago

    [HEALTH] 7 sources
    AESAN reviews menopause nutrition report over use of male-only data

    Spain's AESAN is reviewing a menopause nutrition report after scientists found it used data from male-only studies without disclosing the lack of female-specific research.

Sources

20minutos.com.mx · de.euronews.com · eldiario.es · granadahoy.com · laopinioncoruna.es · larazon.es · maldita.es · que.es · theobjective.com