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The relationship between culture, food liking, and body mass index in Australian and Thai young adults

Version 2 2024-06-03, 20:47
Version 1 2019-09-05, 09:04
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 20:47 authored by U Wanich, Lynn RiddellLynn Riddell, S Cicerale, Mohammadreza MohebbiMohammadreza Mohebbi, D Sayompark, Gie LiemGie Liem, Russell KeastRussell Keast
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An individual's liking of food may be associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) due to its subsequent impact on food consumption. This study investigates the association between food liking and BMI in young adults from Australia and Thailand. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Food liking data were collected via a validated online Food Liking Questionnaire (FLQ). Food liking scores were calculated for overall liking of groupings of foods: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, animal protein, plant-based protein, fat and oil, sweet food, salty food, and alcohol. The relationship between food liking and BMI (calculated from self-reported height and weight) was assessed using linear regression models including country and gender, and mean differences were assessed using independent sample t-test. RESULTS: Data were available from n=4,173 participants (BMI=22.25 (SD 4.18), age=20.6 (SD 4.22) years, female=71.6%, Thai=52.5%). There were significant differences of food liking between countries for all of food groups (p<0.01) except for animal-based protein and plantbased protein liking. BMI was positively, but weakly, associated with liking of animal-based protein (β=0.20 [0.12, 0.28], p<0.001), and alcohol (β=0.08 [0.02, 0.13], p<0.01) and negatively associated with plant-based protein (β=-0.09 [-0.18, -0.01], p<0.05). There was significant difference of food liking between weight status for all of food groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports only minor associations between food liking and BMI, but cultural and gender variation in liking was evident.

History

Journal

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volume

28

Pagination

634-644

Location

Australia

ISSN

0964-7058

eISSN

1440-6047

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

3

Publisher

H E C PRESS, HEALTHY EATING CLUB PTY LTD