Baseline characteristics for the cohort by quintile of factor score for each of the three dietary patterns among both men and women appear in Table 2. Men and women with high scores on the fruit and vegetable factor had slightly lower BMI, were more physically active, were more likely to be college graduates, were less likely to be current smokers, and consumed less alcohol. Men with high fruit and vegetable-factor scores reported consuming many fewer calories per day, although for women there was little difference in energy intake. With respect to the red meat and potatoes factor, high scores were associated with higher BMI, increased energy intake, decreased physical activity, a lower likelihood of being a college graduate, and increased smoking for both men and women. Thus the fruit and vegetable pattern was associated with many behaviors and characteristics commonly understood to indicate or be predictive of good health while the red meat and potatoes pattern was associated with those that are indicative of poor health status. The fat-reduced and diet-foods pattern was also associated with many of the same health behaviors as was the fruit and vegetables pattern, but the degree of association was generally lower.