Smell and taste alterations, food choice, and dietary diversity among Filipino adults

Date

8-2022

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

College

College of Human Ecology (CHE)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marie Faye R. Nguyen-Orca

Abstract

Smell and taste alterations were often overlooked in population-based studies yet Its impact on food choice can potentially affect dietary diversity which can be a basis of an emerging nutritional concern in the population. The researcher cross-sectionally examined the perceived smell and taste abilities of adults aged 30 years old and above (N=396). The prevalence estimates and dietary diversity responses were determined. The prevalence estimates were derived from single and multiple responses of smell and taste problems, distortions, and reduced sensory ability since age 25. The study also assessed the correlation between smell and taste alterations and dietary diversity using Cramer’s V and Principal Component Analysis. The prevalence estimates of smell alterations and taste alterations were 16.7% (N=66) and 17.4% (N=69) while the combined smell and taste alterations were at 18.7% (N=74). Correlation between dietary diversity and smell and taste alterations were between negligible correlation and moderate correlation (r=0.00-0.40, p=<0.001-0.982). Majority of the food items under study possessed weak correlations (r=0.10-0.19, p=0.03-0.982). All moderate correlations were statistically significant at p-value < 0.05. Finally, the principal component analysis showed a 44.26% explained variance. The PC1 represents energy-dense foods and sensory qualities such as sweetness and sourness while PC2 represents their food acquisition as influenced by the presence of food insecurity in the population. Prevalence estimates were comparable towards recent epidemiological studies. Moreover, the determination of dietary diversity was highly influenced by confounding variables in the general population of adults. Prevalence estimates of smell and taste alterations is a potential indicator towards determining its effect on the food choice and consumption of adults in the general population.

Language

English

LC Subject

Smell and taste alterations, Adults, Purposive sampling, Dietary diversity, Prevalence estimates

Location

UPLB College of Human Ecology (CHE)

Document Type

Thesis

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