LAUSR

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between two well-established markers of taste perception, 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) responsiveness and fungiform papillae number, in obese and healthy-weight subjects. The association between taste responsiveness and food neophobia attitude was evaluated to understand if these variables are linked to nutritional status of subjects. Forty healthy-weight (Body Mass Index: 22.67 ± 0.43 kg/m 2 ) and forty-five obese (Body Mass Index: 37.57 ± 0.77 kg/m 2 ) subjects were involved. PROP responsiveness and fungiform papillae number were positively correlated to each other in both groups of subjects (healthy-weight: r = 0.67, p  The nutritional status of the subjects seems to be linked to taste responsiveness and food neophobic attitude. These data suggest that, between several factors which could play a role in the control of body weight, understand how sensory perception affects eating behavior could give important information to study variables which may determine food habits.