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 >= 28 kg/m(2) than in subjects with a BMI < 28 kg/m(2) in the age group < 65 years whereas in subjects >= 65 years scores were higher in subjects with a BMI >= 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 ( >= 65 years). At any age, however, subjects who under reported their body weight show higher sensory capabilities.