title: Differences in taste sensitivity between obese and non-obese children and adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taste sensitivity varies between individuals. Several studies describe differences between obese and non-obese subjects concerning their taste perception. However, data are partly contradictory and insufficient. Therefore, in this study taste sensitivity of obese and non-obese children/adolescents was analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study gustatory sensitivity of n=99 obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) >97th percentile) and n=94 normal weight subjects (BMI <90th percentile), 6-18 years of age, was compared. Sensitivity for the taste qualities sweet, sour, salty, umami and bitter was analysed by means of impregnated 'taste strips' in different concentrations. A total score was determined for all taste qualities combined as well as for each separately. Furthermore, the possible influence of sex, age and ethnicity on taste perception was analysed. An intensity rating for sweet was performed on a 5-point rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obese subjects showed-compared to the control group-a significantly lower ability to identify the correct taste qualities regarding the total score (p<0.001). Regarding individual taste qualities there was a significantly lower detection rate for salty, umami and bitter by obese subjects. Furthermore, the determinants age and sex had a significant influence on taste perception: older age and female sex was associated with better ability to identify taste qualities. Concerning the sweet intensity rating obese children gave significantly lower intensity ratings to three of the four concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese and non-obese children and adolescents differ in their taste perception. Obese subjects could identify taste qualities less precisely than children and adolescents of normal weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Charité Children's Hospital, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overberg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krude
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiegand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D013649:Taste