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del Campo C, Bouzas C, Monserrat-Mesquida M, Tur JA. Food Neophobias in Spanish Adults with Overweight or Obesity by Sex: Their Association with Sociodemographic Factors and the Most Prevalent Chronic Diseases. Foods 2024; 13:2030. [PMID: 38998536 PMCID: PMC11241257 DOI: 10.3390/foods13132030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Food neophobia has been defined as the reluctance to try new foods. Food neophobia is common in children and older people, but until now, scarce research has been carried out on food neophobia in the adult population. The aim of this study was to assess the most usual food neophobias in Spanish adults with overweight and obesity by sex, and their association with sociodemographic factors and the most prevalent chronic diseases. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on adults (mean age of 43.5 ± 13.7 years old; n = 590; 50% female) with overweight or obesity. Their anthropometrics, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, age, educational level, economic level, smoking and sleeping habits, physical activity, chronic diseases, and food neophobias were assessed. The highest food neophobias in Spanish adults with overweight or obesity were directed toward vegetables, meat, fish, pulses, game meat, and fruits, mostly among females, with differences between sexes. Phobias of the soft texture of foods were also observed, without differences between sexes. Age, educational level, sleeping habits, and physical activity were directly related, and economical level and smoking were inversely related to food neophobia, mainly to healthy foods, and more obvious in males than in females. There were associations between body mass index (BMI) and chronic diseases and food neophobia. Adherence to the adaption of healthy and sustainable diets is low within food neophobics, increasing the risk of diet-related chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen del Campo
- Research Group on Community Nutrition & Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain (M.M.-M.)
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain
| | - Cristina Bouzas
- Research Group on Community Nutrition & Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain (M.M.-M.)
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain
| | - Margalida Monserrat-Mesquida
- Research Group on Community Nutrition & Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain (M.M.-M.)
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain
| | - Josep A. Tur
- Research Group on Community Nutrition & Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain (M.M.-M.)
- CIBEROBN (Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma, Spain
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Bellikci Koyu E, Karaağaç Y, Öner BN. The association between food neophobia, bi-dimensional aspects of orthorexia, and anxiety among vegetarians and omnivores. Appetite 2024; 197:107303. [PMID: 38503030 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Vegetarianism is a growing trend, and food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa could act as barriers to achieving a healthy vegetarian diet. The aim of this study is to compare the levels of food neophobia, anxiety, and both healthy and pathological aspects of orthorexia among vegetarians and omnivores. Additionally, the study aims to identify the relationships between food neophobia, anxiety, and orthorexia. In this cross-sectional online survey, a total of 324 vegetarian and 455 omnivores adults participated. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics, the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 Scale. Vegetarians exhibited lower FNS scores (p < 0.001) and had higher healthy orthorexic scores (p < 0.001) than omnivores. There were no differences between groups for anxiety scores (p > 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that higher food neophobia (OR: 0.953, 95% CI:0.937-0.968) and TOS-OrNe scores (OR: 0.946, 95% CI: 0.901-0.993) were associated with lower odds of following a vegetarian diet. Conversely, higher TOS-HeOr scores (OR: 1.135, 95% CI:1.096-1.176) were linked to an increased likelihood of adopting a vegetarian diet. Furthermore, both FNS and GAD-7 scores showed negative correlations with TOS-HeOR (r = -0.124, p < 0.001 and r = -0.129 p < 0.001, respectively), and positive correlations with TOS-OrNe (r = 0.106, p < 0.001 and r = 0.146, p < 0.001). In conclusion, vegetarians exhibit lower levels of food neophobia and a greater interest in healthy eating than omnivores. Additionally, the distinct correlation between two dimensions of orthorexia and food neophobia and anxiety provides support for the two-dimensional nature of orthorexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Bellikci Koyu
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35620, Türkiye.
| | - Yasemin Karaağaç
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35620, Türkiye
| | - Beyza Nur Öner
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, 35620, Türkiye
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Catamo E, Tornese G, Dovc K, Tinti D, Di Tonno R, Cauvin V, Barbi E, Franceschi R, Bonfanti R, Rabbone I, Battelino T, Robino A. Food Behaviour and Metabolic Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Relationship to Glycaemic Control. Foods 2024; 13:578. [PMID: 38397555 PMCID: PMC10888051 DOI: 10.3390/foods13040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Diet is an essential element of treating and managing type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, limited research has examined food behaviour in children and adolescents with T1D and their relationship to glycaemic control. This study evaluated food behaviour, metabolic characteristics and their impact on the glycaemic control of children and adolescents with T1D. Two hundred and fifty-eight participants with T1D (6-15 years, duration of diabetes >1 year) were recruited. Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were collected. Questionnaires on food neophobia and food preferences were administered. The Child Food Questionnaire (CFQ) also assessed parental feeding practices. An analysis of food behaviour showed that food neophobia was inversely associated with the liking of vegetables, fruits, fish, sweets and carbohydrates. Moreover, by analysing parental feeding practices, an inverse association of "Pressure to eat", "Monitoring" and "Restriction" with liking for vegetables and carbohydrates emerged. Considering glycaemic control, increased food neophobia and the parent practices "Restriction", "Pressure to eat" and "Concern about weight" were found in participants with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values >8.5%. Finally, higher body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol values were observed in subjects with HbA1c values >8.5%. These findings contribute to a better understanding of eating behaviour, metabolic status and their complex relationship with glycaemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eulalia Catamo
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS ‘‘Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (G.T.); (E.B.)
| | - Gianluca Tornese
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS ‘‘Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (G.T.); (E.B.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Klemen Dovc
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.D.); (T.B.)
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Davide Tinti
- Center for Pediatric Diabetology, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Raffaella Di Tonno
- Diabetes Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy; (R.D.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Vittoria Cauvin
- Division of Pediatrics, S. Chiara General Hospital, 38122 Trento, Italy; (V.C.); (R.F.)
| | - Egidio Barbi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS ‘‘Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (G.T.); (E.B.)
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Franceschi
- Division of Pediatrics, S. Chiara General Hospital, 38122 Trento, Italy; (V.C.); (R.F.)
| | - Riccardo Bonfanti
- Diabetes Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milano, Italy; (R.D.T.); (R.B.)
| | - Ivana Rabbone
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Tadej Battelino
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.D.); (T.B.)
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antonietta Robino
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—IRCCS ‘‘Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (G.T.); (E.B.)
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Basaran AG, Ozbek YD. A Study of the Relationship between University Students' Food Neophobia and Their Tendencies towards Orthorexia Nervosa. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:958. [PMID: 38131814 PMCID: PMC10741013 DOI: 10.3390/bs13120958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Food neophobia, known as an avoidance of the consumption of unknown foods, can negatively impact nutritional quality. In orthorexia nervosa, there is an excessive mental effort to consume healthy food. Individuals exhibiting symptoms of food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa may experience food restrictions. This study aimed to assess food neophobia levels and orthorexia nervosa tendencies among university students, investigate the potential association between the two constructs, and explore the effect of the demographic characteristics of the participants on the variables. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 609 students enrolled at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University. The data were collected through Google Forms using a sociodemographic information form, the Food Neophobia Scale, and the ORTO-11 scale. Ethics committee approval and institutional permission were obtained for the study. Of the students participating in the survey, 71.9% were female, 14.6% were classified as neophobic, and 47.1% had orthorexia nervosa symptoms. The mean scores from the Food Neophobia Scale (39.41 ± 9.23) and the ORTO-11 scale (27.43 ± 5.35) were in the normal range. Food neophobia was significantly higher among those who did not consume alcohol. Orthorexia nervosa symptoms were significantly more common among married people. In the correlation analysis, no significant relationship was found between age, food neophobia, and orthorexia nervosa. It can be said that food neophobia in this study is similar to in other studies conducted on university students. In addition, about half of the participants had symptoms of orthorexia nervosa. This result is higher compared to other studies conducted with university students. The findings of this study indicate that the participants care about the healthfulness of food.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yagmur Demirel Ozbek
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize 53350, Turkey;
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Firme JN, de Almeida PC, dos Santos EB, Zandonadi RP, Raposo A, Botelho RBA. Instruments to Evaluate Food Neophobia in Children: An Integrative Review with a Systematic Approach. Nutrients 2023; 15:4769. [PMID: 38004163 PMCID: PMC10675136 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Food neophobia (FN), a frequent disorder in childhood, profoundly impacts the quality of a diet, restricting the intake of nutrients to maintain proper nutrition. Therefore, using the appropriate tools to assess FN in children to promote healthy eating habits is essential. The study aimed to develop an integrative review with a systematic approach to identify the instruments to measure FN in children and analyze their differences. The included studies (n = 17) were more concentrated in Europe, demonstrating the possible lack of dissemination of the topic at a global level. Among the 18 tools, 6 were represented by adaptations of the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and the Children's Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS), and one was the CFNS itself, demonstrating the relevance of these pioneering tools. The need to meet mainly cultural and cognitive criteria led to the creation of other instruments (n = 11). A diversity of approaches concerning the respondents, age range, items, scales, and validation methods was revealed. Modifications to the tools in some nations highlighted their adaptability and effectiveness in addressing regional variations. The instruments can contribute to additional research to help us better understand the prevalence of FN in children, resulting in their health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julyana Nogueira Firme
- Human Nutrition Graduate Program, Nutrition Departament, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (J.N.F.); (P.C.d.A.); (E.B.d.S.)
| | - Priscila Claudino de Almeida
- Human Nutrition Graduate Program, Nutrition Departament, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (J.N.F.); (P.C.d.A.); (E.B.d.S.)
| | - Emanuele Batistela dos Santos
- Human Nutrition Graduate Program, Nutrition Departament, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil; (J.N.F.); (P.C.d.A.); (E.B.d.S.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá 78060-900, Brazil
| | | | - António Raposo
- CBIOS (Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies), Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
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Pierguidi L, Spinelli S, Prescott J, Monteleone E, Dinnella C. Responsiveness to warning sensations and anxiety-related psychological traits modulate individual differences in preference for vegetable foods with varied sensory properties. Food Res Int 2023; 173:113342. [PMID: 37803693 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The innate aversion to warning sensations is an important barrier to the acceptance of vegetable food often characterized by bitter and sour tastes, and astringency. Large individual variations exist in preference for this food category. The present study aimed at exploring differences in demographics, anthropometrics, taste responsiveness, personality traits and attitudes in consumers differing in their preference for vegetable food with varied levels of warning sensations. A panel of Italian consumers (n = 718; 53.6% women, age 18-74 years) self-reported familiarity with, preference for and choice of vegetables with high and low levels of warning sensations. Two clusters were identified: High Warning-Vegetable Consumers (HWVC, n = 464) and Low-Warning Vegetable Consumers (LWVC, n = 254). HWVC showed higher familiarity with and preference for vegetables as a whole and higher choice of vegetables characterized by warning sensations than LWVC. HWVC were more represented by older and normal weight individuals as compared to LWVC. Differences among clusters in liking for and perception of a phenol-enriched plant-based food model specifically developed to induce different levels of bitterness, sourness and astringency were found. HWVC rated bitterness, sourness, and astringency lower and liking higher than LWVC. Scores in anxiety-related psychological traits were lower while attitudes to healthy and high-quality food choice were higher in HWVC than in LWVC. The results of the present study depicted a coherent interplay among several person-related dimensions in modulating preference for vegetable foods. Higher responsiveness to warning sensations, higher level of anxiety-related traits, lower importance assigned to food healthy/quality aspects and younger age all acted as barriers to exposure and acceptance of vegetable food and call for a multidimensional approach to promote the consumption of this food category.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pierguidi
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Italy.
| | - S Spinelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Italy
| | - J Prescott
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Italy; TasteMatters Research & Consulting, Sydney, Australia
| | - E Monteleone
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Italy
| | - C Dinnella
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Italy
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del Campo C, Bouzas C, Monserrat-Mesquida M, Tur JA. Assessing Food Preferences and Neophobias among Spanish Adolescents from Castilla-La Mancha. Foods 2023; 12:3717. [PMID: 37893610 PMCID: PMC10606373 DOI: 10.3390/foods12203717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Food neophobia is a reaction of dislike or fear of food, which may be due to a wide variety of factors (taste, texture, exposure at an early age, genetics, or diversity in feeding practices and food consumption). The aim of this study was to assess the preferences for tastes and foods and food neophobias among Spanish adolescents and to compare the differences between boys and girls. This was a cross-sectional observational study on 11-18-year-old healthy adolescents (n = 600; 50% female) recruited in the Castilla-La Mancha region (central Spain). Information on taste preferences, food neophobias, anthropometric measurements, and sociodemographic data was recorded. The highest taste preference was found for sweet, salty, and umami. Most adolescents usually did not try new foods outside the home, nor did they like to try foods from other countries. More than half of them also acknowledged being selective eaters or were very particular about the foods they ate. There were no significant associations between taste preference and neophobias with obesity, waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), sleep, and smoking. Adolescents showed a high unwillingness to change food habits, and most of the food neophobias found in the current study were related to new, novel, or previously unknown foods. Spanish adolescents from central Spain (Castilla-La Mancha region) showed a preference for sweet, salty, and umami tastes of foods, as well as food neophobia towards foods that they do not regularly consume, mainly those with a bitter taste. Gender and body weight showed little influence, and age had a moderate influence on food neophobias. Familiarity with foods, as well as educational activities, are suggested as useful to decrease food neophobias among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen del Campo
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Cristina Bouzas
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Margalida Monserrat-Mesquida
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Josep A. Tur
- Research Group in Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07120 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Graham CAM, Spedicati B, Pelliccione G, Gasparini P, Concas MP. Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 9: A New Candidate Gene for Sweet Food Liking? Foods 2023; 12:foods12091739. [PMID: 37174278 PMCID: PMC10178705 DOI: 10.3390/foods12091739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetics plays an important role in individual differences in food liking, which influences food choices and health. Sweet food liking is a complex trait and has been associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and related comorbidities. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed to investigate the genetics of sweet food liking using two adult discovery cohorts (n = 1109, n = 373) and an independent replication cohort (n = 1073). In addition, we tested the association of our strongest result on parameters related to behaviour (food adventurousness (FA) and reward dependence (RD) and health status (BMI and blood glucose). The results demonstrate a novel strong association between the Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 9 (RGS9I) gene, strongest single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs58931966 (p-value 7.05 × 10-9 in the combined sample of discovery and replication), and sweet food liking, with the minor allele (A) being associated with a decreased sweet food liking. We also found that the A allele of the rs58931966 SNP was associated with decreased FA and RD, and increased BMI and blood glucose (p-values < 0.05). Differences were highlighted in sex-specific analysis on BMI and glucose. Our results highlight a novel genetic association with food liking and are indicative of genetic variation influencing the psychological-biological drivers of food preference. If confirmed in other studies, such genetic associations could allow a greater understanding of chronic disease management from both a habitual dietary intake and reward-related perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Anna-Marie Graham
- Cereneo Foundation, Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CEFIR), Seestrasse 18, 6354 Vitznau, Switzerland
- Lake Lucerne Institute, Seestrasse 18, 6354 Vitznau, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Spedicati
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS, Burlo Garofolo, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Pelliccione
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS, Burlo Garofolo, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Gasparini
- Lake Lucerne Institute, Seestrasse 18, 6354 Vitznau, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS, Burlo Garofolo, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Concas
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS, Burlo Garofolo, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Wortmann HR, Gisch UA, Bergmann MM, Warschburger P. Exploring the Longitudinal Stability of Food Neophilia and Dietary Quality and Their Prospective Relationship in Older Adults: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051248. [PMID: 36904247 PMCID: PMC10005135 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor dietary quality is a major cause of morbidity, making the promotion of healthy eating a societal priority. Older adults are a critical target group for promoting healthy eating to enable healthy aging. One factor suggested to promote healthy eating is the willingness to try unfamiliar foods, referred to as food neophilia. This two-wave longitudinal study explored the stability of food neophilia and dietary quality and their prospective relationship over three years, analyzing self-reported data from N = 960 older adults (MT1 = 63.4, range = 50-84) participating in the NutriAct Family Study (NFS) in a cross-lagged panel design. Dietary quality was rated using the NutriAct diet score, based on the current evidence for chronic disease prevention. Food neophilia was measured using the Variety Seeking Tendency Scale. The analyses revealed high a longitudinal stability of both constructs and a small positive cross-sectional correlation between them. Food neophilia had no prospective effect on dietary quality, whereas a very small positive prospective effect of dietary quality on food neophilia was found. Our findings give initial insights into the positive relation of food neophilia and a health-promoting diet in aging and underscore the need for more in-depth research, e.g., on the constructs' developmental trajectories and potential critical windows of opportunity for promoting food neophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna R. Wortmann
- NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research, Berlin-Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Counseling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ulrike A. Gisch
- NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research, Berlin-Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Counseling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Manuela M. Bergmann
- NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research, Berlin-Potsdam, Germany
- German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Schneunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Petra Warschburger
- NutriAct-Competence Cluster Nutrition Research, Berlin-Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Counseling Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-331-977-2988
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Food Neophobia, Familiarity with French Cuisine, Body Mass, and Restaurant Food Choices in a Sample of Polish Women. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071502. [PMID: 35406115 PMCID: PMC9003310 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Food neophobia, a condition characterized by a reluctance or avoidance of unknown foods and meals, may influence food choice, and is also associated with body mass and familiarity with food items. This study aimed to analyze the associations between food neophobia, familiarity with French cuisine, body mass, and French restaurant menu food choices in a sample of 203 young Polish women. The Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method was used in the study. The food choice questionnaire used for assessment was based on a model French restaurant menu, with dishes planned using a 2 × 2 factorial design for the components of neophobic potential (unfamiliar to Polish consumers) and animal-based components. Food neophobia, familiarity with French cuisine, and body mass were considered independent variables. The food neophobia scale (FNS) developed by Pliner and Hobden was used to assess food neophobia among respondents. The results showed an association between food neophobia and familiarity with French cuisine and French restaurant menu food choices (p ≤ 0.05), but no association with body mass was observed (p > 0.05). The respondents with a high level of food neophobia chose dishes with neophobic components (for soups and desserts) less often compared to those with a low neophobia level, and in the absence of such an association, they chose dishes with animal-based components (for starters and main courses) less often (p ≤ 0.05). The respondents who declared that they were familiar with French cuisine chose dishes with animal-based components (for starters and desserts) more often than those with no familiarity, but a reverse association was observed for soups (p ≤ 0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it may be concluded that food neophobia and familiarity with French cuisine may be important determinants of food choice within a French restaurant menu. The study did not show any association between body mass and the choice of dishes from the model French restaurant menu. The findings suggest that the presence of unfamiliar and animal-based ingredients may reduce the frequency of choosing specific dishes within a French restaurant menu, which may reduce the diversity of individuals’ diets.
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Hazley D, Stack M, Walton J, McNulty BA, Kearney JM. Food neophobia across the life course: Pooling data from five national cross-sectional surveys in Ireland. Appetite 2022; 171:105941. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.105941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Sensory Capacities and Eating Behavior: Intriguing Results from a Large Cohort of Italian Individuals. Foods 2022; 11:foods11050735. [PMID: 35267368 PMCID: PMC8909480 DOI: 10.3390/foods11050735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eating behavior (EB) is a complex system influenced by many factors, but an undisputed role is played by the senses. In this work, we examined the effect of the sensory capacities on EB in 1152 Italian adult individuals. After administering a questionnaire on EB and assessing sensory performance through standard audiometric, olfactory, and taste tests, the prevalence of reduced sensory capacities (RSCs) and the correlation with selected risk factors were calculated. Regression models, structural equation modelling, and conditional recursive partitioning were used to investigate the relationship between variables. Around 70% of the subjects show reduced capacities in at least one sense, with taste being the most prevalent (55.21%). Male sex, aging, and low educational level are risk factors for RSCs. The increased number of senses with reduced capacities is a predictor of diminished food adventurousness and lower liking for vegetables, fish, and alcoholic beverages, while reduced capacities (RCs) in taste is a predictor of lower liking for alcoholic beverages and sweets. Overall, in addition to providing an overall picture of RSCs in Italian samples, our study reveals the association of RSCs with EB variables. This finding could have a relevant role in influencing individuals’ dietary habits and, therefore, health status.
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