Obese children may have less sensitive taste buds than children in a healthy weight bracket, according to new data from researchers in Germany. For the study, the researchers surveyed 193 children aged 6 to 18, half of which were obese.
They tested the taste sensitivity of each child in respect to sweet, sour, salty, savory and bitter flavors. Each flavor was tested on flavor strips in four graduated strengths. Each strength of flavor was assigned a points score, and those able to distinguish between all flavors at all strengths scored a maximum of twenty points.
They found that overall, obese children had significantly lower scores, with an average of 12.6. Normal weight kids scored roughly two points higher on average. They also found that over time, normal weight children saw an improvement in their sensitivity while obese children did not.
The data was published on September 20 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.