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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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29-08-2023 | Obesity | Miscellaneous

Smell, taste and food habits changes along body mass index increase: an observational study

Authors: Alessandro Micarelli, Sandro Malacrida, Alessandra Vezzoli, Beatrice Micarelli, Ilaria Misici, Valentina Carbini, Sara Caputo, Simona Mrakic-Sposta, Marco Alessandrini

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 12/2023

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the changes in gustatory and olfactory sensitivity and dietary habits between healthy lean subjects (LS) and participants affected by overweight (OW), stage I and II obesity and to estimate possible impact of these factors on body mass index (BMI).

Methods

After a general and ear–nose–throat evaluation, taste and olfactory function testing by means of taste strips and sniffin’ stick tests, respectively, and food habits analysis by means of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), 221 participants (68 LS [33 female; mean age = 53.01 ± 7.54 years]; 51 OW [26 female; mean age = 51.5 ± 12.16 years]; 50 stage I obesity [24 female; mean age = 50.78 ± 13.71 years] and 52 stage II obesity [24 female; mean age = 52.21 ± 13.35 years]) were enrolled in the study.

Results

Significant (p < 0.008) reductions in total and subtest taste and smell scores were found in stage I and II obesity when compared to LS and OW participants. FFQ depicted a progressive intake increase of nutrients along the BMI stages. Significant associations were found between BMI and taste/smell subtests sugar taste carbs, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Conclusions

These data demonstrated for the first time a parallel impairment in smell and taste in a large sample size of participants from lean to stage II obesity and could reinforce those previous theories claiming that the greater the ability in taste or smell qualities perception, the lower the preference for them, resulting in a lower intake of specific foods.

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Title: Smell, taste and food habits changes along body mass index increase: an observational study
Authors: Alessandro Micarelli
Sandro Malacrida
Alessandra Vezzoli
Beatrice Micarelli
Ilaria Misici
Valentina Carbini
Sara Caputo
Simona Mrakic-Sposta
Marco Alessandrini
Publication date: 29-08-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Overweight
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 12/2023
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08204-5

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Smell, taste and food habits changes along body mass index increase: an observational study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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