TASTE GENETICS, OBESITY AND WEIGHT LOSS

In the last 30 years there has been a growing epidemic of obesity in the population but current interventions have not been successful in stemming this tide. This project will investigate individual differences in genetic sensitivity to bitter taste (PROP tasting) as a biological marker for dietary intake and obesity. The data collected in this project will help us understand the specific dietary patterns associated with obesity in young women and identify biobehavioral factors (e.g. eating attitudes, dieting behaviors) that increase this risk. This work will lead to the development of improved nutrition interventions that can be targeted to an individual's genetic taste background and therefore optimally promote behavior change in that individual. These innovations are expected to improve the health, nutrition and quality of life for citizens of New Jersey and the nation. Although all segments of the population are susceptible to obesity, young adulthood is a time of particular high risk, and few interventions have targeted this group. Since the vast majority of those enrolling in weight loss programs are women, the proposed project will target this demographic.