Fat Taste Sensitivity Is Associated with Short-Term and Habitual Fat Intake

Nutrients. 2017 Jul 20;9(7):781. doi: 10.3390/nu9070781.

Abstract

Evidence suggests individuals less sensitive to fat taste (high fat taste thresholds (FTT)) may be overweight or obese and consume greater amounts of dietary fat than more sensitive individuals. The aims of this study were to assess associations between FTT, anthropometric measurements, fat intake, and liking of fatty foods. FTT was assessed in 69 Australian females (mean age 41.3 (15.6) (SD) years and mean body mass index 26.3 (5.7) kg/m²) by a 3-alternate forced choice methodology and transformed to an ordinal scale (FT rank). Food liking was assessed by hedonic ratings of high-fat and reduced-fat foods, and a 24-h food recall and food frequency questionnaire was completed. Linear mixed regression models were fitted. FT rank was associated with dietary % energy from fat ( β ^ = 0.110 [95% CI: 0.003, 0.216]), % energy from carbohydrate ( β ^ = -0.112 [-0.188, -0.035]), and frequency of consumption of foods per day from food groups: high-fat dairy ( β ^ = 1.091 [0.106, 2.242]), meat & meat alternatives ( β ^ = 0.669 [0.168, 1.170]), and grain & cereals ( β ^ = 0.771 [0.212, 1.329]) (adjusted for energy and age). There were no associations between FT rank and anthropometric measurements or hedonic ratings. Therefore, fat taste sensitivity appears to be associated with short-term fat intake, but not body size in this group of females.

Keywords: BMI; fat intake; fat taste; liking; sensitivity; taste thresholds; women.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Australia
  • Body Mass Index
  • Choice Behavior
  • Diet
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Food Preferences*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taste Threshold*
  • Taste*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated