Odour and taste sensitivity is associated with body weight and extent of misreporting of body weight.

BACKGROUND

Sensory factors are important determinants of appetite and food choices but little is known about the relationship between body weight and sensory capabilities.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between measured body weights, misreporting of body weight and sensory capabilities.

DESIGN

In a cross-sectional sensory study, body weight was assessed by measured and self-reported body weight in healthy men (n=130) and women (n=181). Sensory capabilities were assessed as odour detection and identification, and detection for salty, sweet, sour and bitter taste.

RESULTS

Odour detection, odour identification and taste perception scores were lower in subjects with a BMI >or=28 kg/m(2) than in subjects with a BMI <28 kg/m(2) in the age group <65 years whereas in subjects >or=65 years scores were higher in subjects with a BMI >or=28 kg/m(2) than in subjects with a BMI <28 kg/m(2) (BMI*age group: P=0.015, 0.053 and 0.015, respectively). Independent of age, scores were highest in under reporters of body weight (P=0.008, 0.001 and 0.017). Differences in taste perception could be attributed to sour (P=0.015) and bitter (P=0.026) perception, but not to salty or sweet perception.

CONCLUSION

Relationship between sensory capabilities and body mass is age dependent. Compared to overweight subjects, the sensory capabilities of normal weight individuals appear to be higher (<65 years) and lower (>or=65 years). At any age, however, subjects who under reported their body weight show higher sensory capabilities.