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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The risk of obesity is associated with fat and sweet liking

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Introduction: Fat, added sugar and sodium are important nutritional factors involved in the risk of obesity, although these components contribute to eating pleasure thanks to their sensory properties. Few cross-sectional studies have shown equivocal results about relationships between liking and weight status. The only one prospective study has shown an increase of weight in individuals who liked sweet taste and no significant relationships for fat liking. However, the tool that assesses liking is unreliable. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the prospective association between liking for fat, sweet and salt and the onset of obesity in adults. Method / Design: Liking scores were assessed using a validated questionnaire and self-reported anthropometric data were collected during 4 years in 29,025 French adults participating in the NutriNetSanté study, a large web-based observational cohort. The influence of fat, sweet and salt liking on the incidence of obesity was assessed by Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for socio-demographic and economic factors, lifestyle, physical activity and energy intake. Results: In both genders, liking for fat was positively associated with obesity risk (HRmen=1.24[1.05,1.47]; HRwomen=1.20[1.10,1.32]), whereas sweet liking was inversely associated (HRmen=0.82[0.69,0.98]; HRwomen=0.88[0.80,0.98]). In contrast, no significant association with liking for salty taste was found. When liking scores were considered into quartiles, individuals with the highest fat liking had higher risk of obesity (men: HRQ4vs.Q1=2.75[1.40,5.41]; women: HRQ4vs.Q1=2.31[1.56,3.42]) than those with the lowest liking level. Regarding the highest sweet liking, a strong inverse relationship was also found (men: HRQ4vs. Q1=0.41[0.22,0.75]; women: HRQ4vs.Q1=0.65[0.45,0.92]) compared to those with the lowest liking. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a heightened fat liking is an important predictor of weight status in adults, whereas a liking for sweet foods is inversely associated with the onset of obesity. These results suggest that sensory liking should be taking into account in obesity prevention.