Variants in Chemosensory Genes Are Associated with Picky Eating Behavior in Preschool-Age Children

Abstract

Background/Aims: Picky eating is prevalent among preschoolers and is associated with risk of both underweight and overweight. Although differences in taste perception may be due to genetic variation, it is unclear whether these variations are related to picky eating behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5 candidate genes related to chemosensory perception with picky eating behavior and adiposity in a cohort of preschool-aged children. Methods: Parents of 2- to 5-year-old non-Hispanic white preschoolers (n = 153) responded to survey questions on demographics, and information regarding their child's breastfeeding history and picky eating behavior. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) z-scores using standard growth charts, and saliva was collected for genotyping. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between picky eating behavior and BMI z-scores with genetic variation. Results: When controlling for child age, sex, breastfed status, and parent education level, SNPs in TAS2R38 (rs713598) and CA6 (rs2274327) were associated with picky eating behavior in children. There was no association between SNPs and BMI z-scores. Conclusion: Genes related to chemosensory perception may play a role in children's picky eating behavior.

TAS2R38 bitter taste genotype is associated with complementary feeding behavior in infants

“…The study results agree with our initial hypothesis and are also in line with already reported differences in food behavior between bitter-sensitive and bitter-insensitive adults and children [28, 46, 47].…”

“…Previous research already suggested a link between differences in foods preferences and intake (especially for sugar and sweet foods) and genetic sensitivity to bitter taste [10]. Interestingly, our finding agrees with recent work showing that variants in the TAS2R38 gene are associated to pick eating behavior in 2–5-year-old children [28]. Authors showed that homozygous bitter-sensitive children have limited dietary variety and tend to be picky eaters compared to homozygous bitter-insensitive children.…”

“…Specifically, sweet food preference and intake resulted higher in children homozygous for the bitter-sensitive allele or heterozygous compared to children homozygous for the bitter-insensitive allele [10, 27]. Interestingly, a recent study showed that variants in TAS2R38 gene are associated to pick eating behavior with children carrying at least one copy of the bitter-sensitive allele having limited dietary variety compared to the homozygous for bitter insensitive allele [28].…”

Association study of taste preference: Analysis in the Lithuanian population

“…(Pastorekova et al, 2004) Note: a-chromosome; b-allele 1; c-allele 2; d-distribution of alleles or genotypes in the case group; e-distribution of alleles or genotypes in the control group; f-empirical p-value for chi-square test of independence (permutation test based on the most significant result of allelic dominant and recessive models); g-empirical p-value for Fisher's exact test (permutation test based on the most significant result of allelic dominant and recessive models); h-basic model: genotypic; i-additive model: Cochran-Armitage trend; j-basic model: allelic; k-additive model: dominant; l-additive model: recessive. (Cole et al, 2017) and implicated in taste bud function and salivary buffer capacity (Peres et al, 2010). It was postulated that CA VI may be a mechanistic link between 6-n-propylthiouracil tasting and fungiform taste papilla density and maintenance, (Melis et al,) but a later study did not detect such an association (Feeney & Hayes, 2014).…”

The Environmental and Bitter Taste Endophenotype Determinants of Picky Eating in Australian School-Aged Children 7–12 years—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study Protocol

“…Despite links between both genetic and environmental factors being responsible for picky eating, this complexity (genetics and environment) is under-researched [12]. To date, only one cross-sectional study (n = 153) on preschool children aged 2-5 years reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to chemosensory perception (TAS2R38, rs713598 and CA6, rs2274327) were associated with picky eating [23]. Interestingly, the study did not use PROP for endophenotype bitter taste sensitivity testing, despite PROP being considered a cost-effective, non-invasive approach for community-based and epidemiological studies [24] and no environmental determinants of picky eating (e.g., children's food preferences, child-feeding practices) were considered [19].…”