Odour and taste sensitivity is associated with body weight and extent of misreporting of body weight

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

Perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

Objective: To examine the attitudes of consumers, in particular their perceived benefits and barriers to physical activity from all EU member states, and having a measure of prevailing levels of activity, inactivity and self-reported body weight and body shape. Design: Cross-sectional survey using an interview-assisted face-to-face questionnaire. Setting: The survey was conducted between March and April 1997 in the 15 member states of the EU. Subjects: Overall, 15 239 EU subjects, classified according to sex, age (six levels) and highest level of education attained (primary, secondary or tertiary), completed the survey. Sample selection of subjects in each EU member state was quota-controlled to ensure they were nationally representative. Results: The most important motivation for people to participate in physical activity is to maintain good health (42%), to release tension (30%) and to get fit (30%). The importance of the health argument is highest in older persons and in subjects with a primary education level. Only 13% of the EU population (16% of women, 10% of men) perceived losing weight as a benefit of physical exercise. The most important barriers to increase physical activity are work or study commitments (28%) and the subjects’ belief that they are not ‘the sporty type’ (25%). There is considerable between-country variation in the answering pattern within the EU

[The CARMEN trial: increased intake of carbohydrates--simple or complex--and unchanged blood lipids in overweight subjects].

INTRODUCTION: The purpose was to investigate the long-term effect of ad libitum low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets with mainly simple or complex carbohydrates on body weight and blood lipids. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A six-months controlled randomised multicentre trial with the participation of five European centres. A total of 398 moderately obese subjects (BMI: 30.4 +/- 2.7 kg/m2, mean +/- SD) were randomised to four groups: Control diet group with normal macronutrient intake, a low-fat/high simple carbohydrate group, a low-fat/high complex carbohydrate group and a seasonal control group. RESULTS: After six months we found a drop in body weight of 1.7 kg (p < 0.05) in the simple and of 2.6 kg (p < 0.001) in the complex carbohydrate group compared with the control diet group. Fat mass decreased by 1.9 kg (p < 0.05) and 2.4 kg (p < 0.001) in the simple and complex carbohydrate group, respectively, compared with the control diet group. There were no significant changes or group differences in fasting blood lipids, glucose, insulin, or leptin. DISCUSSION: The results show that it is favourable to replace dietary fat by carbohydrates (simple or complex) in relation to body weight regulation. No detrimental effects were seen on blood lipids in contrast to previous contentions. Our results underline the importance of a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet in the management of obesity and the ensuing health problems