Mechanisms Underlying Individual Variations of Taste and Smell in Obesity

National Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism

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Abstract

This IRB approved study involves comparison of taste and smell measures between obese and non-obese individuals. Taste and smell perceptions will be assessed in terms of their influence in food intake and food choices. We hypothesize that obesity negatively affects taste and smell perception thus affecting eating behavior. We will recruit a cohort of 124 obese individuals matched by age and sex with 124 healthy non-obese controls. Participants will be recruited from the Washington Metropolitan area and vicinity. This study will take place at the NIH Clinical Center. The study is expected to be completed in 60 months from opening of enrollment to study completion of data analysis. This study involves one screening visit and 2 study visits. The screening visit will last approximately 4-5 hours. Visits 1 and 2 will take approximately 4-6 hours each to complete.