title: Comparisons of Fatty Acid Taste Detection Thresholds in People Who Are Lean vs. Overweight or Obese: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
abstract: Given the increasing evidence that supports the ability of humans to taste non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), recent studies have sought to determine if relationships exist between oral sensitivity to NEFA (measured as thresholds), food intake and obesity. Published findings suggest there is either no association or an inverse association. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine if differences in fatty acid taste sensitivity or intensity ratings exist between individuals who are lean or obese. A total of 7 studies that reported measurement of taste sensations to non-esterified fatty acids by psychophysical methods (e.g.,studies using model systems rather than foods, detection thresholds as measured by a 3-alternative forced choice ascending methodology were included in the meta-analysis. Two other studies that measured intensity ratings to graded suprathreshold NEFA concentrations were evaluated qualitatively. No significant differences in fatty acid taste thresholds or intensity were observed. Thus, differences in fatty acid taste sensitivity do not appear to precede or result from obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America.
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6838-0105
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Office of Energetics, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.|Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.affiliation: Office of Energetics, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mariel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Parman
authors.affiliation: Office of Energetics, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.|Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.
authors.forename: Brandon J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Office of Energetics, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.|Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mattes
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005518:Food Preferences; D009765:Obesity; D050177:Overweight; D017594:Publication Bias; D013649:Taste; D055697:Taste Perception; D013652:Taste Threshold
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids