Associations between Otitis media, taste sensitivity and adiposity: Two studies across childhood

Abstract

Background: Otitis media (OM), or middle ear infections, are one of the most common diseases during early childhood. OM has been linked to changes in food preferences through potential effects on taste signalling, and thereby, to increased weight. Objectives: We investigated the associations between OM, taste sensitivity and adiposity across two studies in early childhood and conducted exploratory post-hoc analyses of sex differences. Methods: Study I assessed 101 children between 2 to 3 years old (59.0% boys). Children were weighed and their height was measured to estimate BMI centiles. Waist measurements were taken to calculate Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR). Child's taste sensitivity was assessed using Short Sensory Profile questionnaire. Study II included 95 children between 5 to 9 years old (52.9% boys). Children were weighed and their height was measured to calculate their BMI. Children took part in a Sucrose Detection Threshold (SDT) assessment to establish their taste sensitivity. In both studies parents reported child's history of OM. Results: In Study I OM was associated with higher WHtR (p=0.047), though this was observed among girls (p=0.011), but not boys (p=0.53). OM was not linked to BMI centiles or taste sensitivity (all p>0.05). In Study II children with OM history had higher BMI centiles (p=0.010), and this effect was stronger in boys (p=0.037) than girls (p=0.17). Multiple OM exposure increased the odds of overweight by 6.2 times (95%CI [1.46, 26.50]). Boys with multiple OM exposure had higher SDT (p=0.022) compared to boys not exposed to OM, akin to lower taste sensitivity. This was not observed in girls (p=0.67). Conclusions: OM history was associated with higher BMI among 5-9 year old children and this may be linked to taste impairments. This association was not observed in 2-3 year old children. Potential sex differences in these associations require further investigation.

Effect of physiological factors, pathologies, and acquired habits on the sweet taste threshold: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The results of the study by Yamauchi et al. (2002b) differed among study subgroups, and other previously unmentioned studies did not report any significant findings (Chang, Chung, Kim, Chung, & Kho, 2006; Fogel & Blissett, 2019; Horio & Kawamura, 1990; Hwang et al., 2018; Kalantari et al., 2017; Kunka, Doty, & Settle, 1981; Mojet, 2001; Vreman et al., 1980; Yamauchi, Endo, Sakai, & Yoshimura, 2002a). To sum up, neither total nor age subgroups showed significant differences in DT and RT between sexes (Figure 3a and 3b).…”

“…The age of 60 was used as the cutoff for older adults because of age-related losses and health conditions (de Carvalho, Epping-Jordan, & Beard, 2019). No difference was found in the DT between males and females in the children subgroup, based on only four studies (Fogel & Blissett, 2019;James et al, 1997;Joseph, Reed, & Mennella, 2016;Yamauchi et al, 2002b). The DT was significantly higher in adult males in one study (Da Silva et al, 2014), whereas another study reported the opposite (Wardwell et al, 2009).…”

Unilateral Increase of Gustatory Thresholds in Acute Otitis Media: A Pilot Study

“…Previous studies have shown the effect of chronic ear infection and otologic surgery on CTN function. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 Seaberg et al 18 performed EGM studies in 142 obese children and stratified the study groups based on a history of Otitis Media (OM). Those authors did not find any correlation between a history of OM and gustatory dysfunction, but they did not look at an ongoing middle ear infection in the acute phase.…”

Nutritional Management of Pediatric ENT Infections

“…Nutrition and lifestyle are modifiable risk factors affecting morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing ENT infections [5,6]. On the flip side, ENT infections have also been shown to affect the nutritional status by compromising taste sensitivity, increasing energy, macronutrient and micronutrient needs to supply the acute and chronic inflammatory response, and decreasing appetite due to infections [7][8][9].…”

“…Nevertheless, for otitis media, one still needs to take into account the possible damage of the chorda tympani nerve, which is responsible for taste sensitivity. Since that damage potentially raises the threshold for sweet taste satiety, a higher need for sugar intake might be needed to activate the satiety signals [9]. Therefore, health care professionals should be cognizant of the increased risk of hearing impairment among patients with pediatric overweight or obesity.…”