title: Taste sensitivity, nutritional status and metabolic syndrome: Implication in weight loss dietary interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the relationship between taste sensitivity, nutritional status and metabolic syndrome and possible implications on weight loss dietary program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensitivity for bitter, sweet, salty and sour tastes was assessed by the three-Alternative-Forced-Choice method in 41 overweight (OW), 52 obese (OB) patients and 56 normal-weight matched controls. OW and OB were assessed also for body composition (by impedence), resting energy expenditure (by indirect calorimetry) and presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and were prescribed a weight loss diet. Compliance to the weight loss dietary program was defined as adherence to control visits and weight loss ≥ 5% in 3 mo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sex and age-adjusted multiple regression models revealed a significant association between body mass index (BMI) and both sour taste (P < 0.05) and global taste acuity score (GTAS) (P < 0.05), with lower sensitivity with increasing BMI. This trend in sensitivity for sour taste was also confirmed by the model refitted on the OW/OB group while the association with GTAS was marginally significant (P = 0.06). MetS+ subjects presented higher thresholds for salty taste when compared to MetS- patients while no significant difference was detected for the other tastes and GTAS. As assessed by multiple regression model, the association between salty taste and MetS appeared to be independent of sex, age and BMI. Patients continuing the program (n = 37) did not show any difference in baseline taste sensitivity when compared to drop-outs (n = 29). Similarly, no significant difference was detected between patients reporting and not reporting a weight loss ≥ 5% of the initial body weight. No significant difference in taste sensitivity was detected even after dividing patients on the basis of nutritional (OW and OB) or metabolic status (MetS+ and MetS-).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no cause-effect relationship between overweight and metabolic derangements. Taste thresholds assessment is not useful in predicting the outcome of a diet-induced weight loss program.
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertoli
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laureati
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battezzati
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bergamaschi
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cereda
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spadafranca
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignati
authors.affiliation: Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Emanuele Cereda, Angela Spadafranca, Laila Vignati, International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pagliarini
keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Nutritional status; Obesity; Taste sensitivity; Weight loss dietary intervention