The Number of Fungiform Papillae, Taste Sensitivity and Smell Functions of Children Aged 11–15

Abstract

Differences in the ability to identify and perceive tastes and smells might influence food consumption and, ultimately, chronic nutrition-related conditions such as overweightness and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the associations between taste sensitivity and odour function, anthropometry, and quantity of fungiform papillae in children at age 11–15. Taste strips (4 base tastes), U-Sniff sticks (12 selected smells), and a filter paper strip impregnated with 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) were used. The photographic method was used to estimate the number of fungiform papillae (FP) on the tongue. The results showed that the quantity of FP was not related to anthropometry or gender. The taste test total scores were higher for girls, for whom the median score was 14 (12.0–15.0), than for boys, for whom the median score was 12 (9.0–13.0). Of the children, 13.9% had some difficulty in identifying odours. The Mann–Whitney U test showed that children who were most sensitive to bitter taste had more FP (p = 0.0001). The median score for this group (score = 4) was 34.0 (27.0–37.0). For those who had some problems with correctly assessing all bitter taste strips (score = 0–3), the median score was 24.0 (20.0–31.0). Higher numbers of FP were also observed in tasters, that is, people sensitive to PROP, than in nontasters. Only some measures of the taste function correlated with each other, but not very significantly. We concluded that there are multiple perceptual phases of taste, with no single measure able to entirely represent the sense of taste.

Investigation of the fungiform papillae number in children with tooth number anomalies

“…In a study similar to ours, a group of children aged 8–11 years were painted with blue food dye and photographed with a digital camera to determine FP count [ 31 ]. Similarly, a study on 101 children aged 11–15 years also used blue food dye and investigated the relationship between FP count and taste sensitivity [ 32 ]. Other recent studies have similarly utilized the Denver Papilla Protocol method to assess FP count [ 33 – 35 ].…”

“…Jilani et al [ 31 ] reported similar findings, with the range between 14 and 46 in a 6 mm diameter circle. Additionally, Sobek and Jagielski [ 32 ] found no significant disparity in FP numbers between boys and girls in children aged 11–15 years, with a median of 27 and a range from 12 to 47. Correa et al [ 37 ] and Fogel and Blissett [ 42 ] also reported no significant sex difference in FP numbers in studies with children.…”