Here’s an interesting fact for people with obesity: You may have a decreased ability to detect smells odors and discriminate between various smells.
Understanding the link between obesity and smelling
Researchers from Otago’s Departments of Food Science, Anatomy, and Mathematics/Statistics reviewed previous studies on the link between obesity and sense of smell, as well as information from approximately 1,500 people from general studies.
They found that the better a person’s sense of smell, the more likely the person is to be slim. The reverse was also true.
They theorize that because our sense of smell plays such an important role in eating, it affects how we identify foods and therefore what choices we make. Without a strong sense of smell, people may choose foods that have stronger smells and tastes.
“For example, they might choose, or be more attracted to, saltier and tastier foods such as bacon and maple syrup instead of blander foods, such as low-fat cereal with less sugar,” explains the study’s lead author, Dr. Mei Peng.
Does losing weight improve smell?
Continuing the theory, the researchers wondered if obesity changes our metabolism, which, in turn, affects the communication between the brain and the gut.
The team looked at the effects of two different surgical obesity approaches: stomach removal and gastric bypass. They found that although removing the stomach improved the person’s ability to smell, the gastric bypass surgery didn’t.
“Cutting the stomach could change nerves in the stomach that affect the gut-brain pathway, so smell changes could be the key to the difference between the two surgeries,” explains Dr. Peng. “Essentially, the smaller size of the stomach might not be the factor that leads to weight loss. It is more likely due to the gut-brain pathway being reset.”
Obesity around the globe
The World Health Organization reports that obesity around the world has nearly triple since 1975. In 2013, obesity was formally recognized as a disease by the American Medical Association.
