To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Chronic Ear Infections Linked to Increased Obesity Risk URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22895E.htm Doctor's Guide August 14, 2008
BOSTON -- August 14, 2008 -- New research suggests the damage caused by chronic ear infections could be linked to people's preference for fatty foods, which increases their risk of being overweight as they age. Scientists from around the country presented their findings on this unexpected connection at the American Psychological Association's 116th Annual Convention. "Middle ear infection is a common childhood disease and obesity is a growing problem worldwide," said Linda Bartoshuk, PhD, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, Florida. "Any potential association between these 2 public health issues is of considerable interest." Dr. Bartoshuk presented some preliminary findings that a strong link between localised taste damage from otitis media and an increased preference for high-fat foods. A series of studies address this issue. In 1 study, 6,584 people who attended a lecture series responded to a series of health questions that determined their history of middle ear infections and their body mass index (BMI). The participants, mostly academics, were aged between 16 and 92 years. The findings showed that those with a moderate to severe history of otitis media were 62% more likely to be obese. Dr. Bartoshuk noted that the overall rate of obesity in this sample was less than the general population. John Hayes, PhD, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and his collaborators at the University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, found associations between otitis media exposure, taste, food choice, and obesity. Among middle-aged women, those with taste functioning consistent with taste nerve damage preferred sweet and high fat foods more and were more likely to have larger waists. In another study, they found preschoolers with a severe history of ear infections ate fewer vegetables and more sweets and tended to be heavier. "This suggests that taste damage from ear infections may alter food choice and thus lead to obesity risk," said Dr. Hayes. Scientists are also looking at the possibility that damage to other taste nerves may also be associated with weight gain. Having the tonsils removed also appears to have an effect on whether a child will be overweight. Researchers re-examined the National Health Examination survey, conducted in the 1960s, and found that 13,887 children aged 6 to 17 who had had their tonsils removed were at an increased risk for being overweight. The recent analysis showed younger children, aged 6 to 11, who had had tonsillectomies, were 40% more likely to be overweight at the time of the survey. Another finding was that teen girls who had had their tonsils removed were 30% more likely to be overweight. Tonsillectomies were a common treatment for chronic ear infections during the period of this survey. "This data suggests that there are lingering effects of tonsillectomies on taste nerves and that can affect eating habits," researchers concluded. SOURCE: American Psychology Association --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.