Who Likes Unhealthy Food with a Strong Flavour? Influence of Sex, Age, Body Mass Index, Smoking and Olfactory Efficiency on Junk Food Preferences

Abstract

Background. Unhealthy food is an important element in the development of diseases of civilisation. The aim of this study was to determine how sex, age, body mass index, smoking and olfactory efficiency influence the consumption of such foods. Methods. A total of 283 people living in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland took part in the study. They were aged 18–82. An interview and olfactory tests were conducted together with assessments of food preferences from 25 types of food products. The extent to which sex, age, body mass index, tobacco addiction and sense of smell influence unhealthy food consumption was assessed. Results. Using the VARIMAX factor analysis, a coherent group of ‘unhealthy food with a strong flavour’ products was selected: crisps, salty snacks, fast food, sugary carbonated drinks and sour products. Unhealthy food was liked more by people who were younger (B = −0.04; PU = −0.05, −0.03; t = −7.43, eta2 = 0.17; p < 0.001) and who had a higher BMI (B = 0.03; PU ≤ 0.01, 0.06; t = 1.92, eta2 = 0.01; p = 0.056). The efficiency of the sense of smell does not play a significant role in the preference for the ‘unhealthy food’ group as a whole. The analysis of each type of unhealthy food separately showed that young people liked crisps, salty snacks, fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more, men liked fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more than women, and people with a good sense of smell liked sour products. Conclusion. According to the food preferences stated, dietary education should be targeted at young people, especially young men, to prevent the development of overweight and obesity.

After a period of forced abstinence, rats treated with the norepinephrine neurotoxin DSP-4 still exhibit preserved food-seeking behavior and prefrontal cortex fos-expressing neurons

“…There are significant sex differences in humans' consumption of palatable foods. Women rate low-calorie food images higher (Legget et al, 2023) and report liking unhealthy foods less than men [ 58 ]. Images of food increase activation of the lateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in women more than in men [ 59 ].…”

Consumption of packaged food and associated factors among adults aged 18–30 years: a cross-sectional study in Kerala

“…Zia (2017), reported that females (aged 20–40 years) prioritize taste and flavor in deciding to purchase packaged food. Another recent study reported young adults had a greater preference to unhealthy packaged food with strong flavors (Hartman-Petrycka et al , 2022).…”

Hubungan Asupan Energi, Preferensi Makan, Pengaruh Teman Sebaya, dan Pendidikan Orang Tua dengan Kejadian Gizi Lebih Remaja di Depok

“…The current food preferences of adolescents tend unhealthy foods and drinks that contain high sugar, fat, and calories, as well as low nutritional value for the body. High frequent of low-nutrient foods can contribute to health problems such as overnutrition 14 .…”

“…Food preferences refer to the level of liking or disliking specific foods. Adolescents tend to prefer unhealthy, high-calorie, and low-nutrient foods, such as sweet and fatty foods, which can contribute to health problems 14 . Studies show that food preferences are related to the occurrence of obesity 15 . Adolescents with nutritional excess tend to prefer fatty and sweet foods 16 .…”