Grant Number:	5R01CA116766-04 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator:	Baranowski, Tom
Organization:	Baylor College Of Medicine
Project Title:	Prop Sensitivity and Obesity Among Ethnic Children
Fiscal Year:	2008

Abstract: Obesity is multifactorial in origin. While energy imbalance is the proximal c# use of obesity, many factors influence energy imbalance. The genetically determined sensitivity to bitter taste (sensitivity to propylthiouracil (PROP)) has been inversely related to obesity among adults and to precursors of obesity (e.g. total energy) among young children. As a possible explanation for these relationships, PROP has also been inversely related to preferences for vegetables with a bitter taste, spicy foods (e g. capsaicin) and dietary fat intake. Thus, PROP sensitivity provides a genetically determined influence on behaviors which may lead to obesity among children. While there is a growing literature on PROP sensitivity in white adults, very little has been published among children or among ethnic minorities. It has not teen established whether this genetically determined trait is expressed at birth and remains constant through life, or if there are developmental influences on its expression. Early work on sensitivity to bitter tastes around the globe suggested large differences in this sensitivity across continents, and thereby ethnic groups. There; are no data, however, on whether the prevalence of PROP sensitivity differs by ethnic group in the US. Thus in one sample this research will assess the prevalence of PROP sensitivity among children in three age arid three ethnic groups, and assess the relationship of PROP sensitivity to adiposity status In a second sample, this research will also assess the relationship of PROP sensitivity to change in BMI over a 7 to 12 year period from 4 or 5 years of age to 12 to 16 years. In addition, both studies will test whether component; dietary intake mediate this relationship after controlling for energy expenditure and other possible confounding factors and whether psychosocial variables mediate the relationship of PROP status to FV intake. Knowing the prevalence of PROP sensitivity by age will specify possible differences in genetic expression by age. Differences in the prevalence by ethnic group could explain ethnic differences in obesity. Understanding how PROP sensitivity relates to obesity and food intake could provide an easily determined stratifying variable to which dietary interventions could be tailored.




Multi-etiological Perspective on Child Obesity Prevention.
Authors: Baranowski T. , Motil K.J. , Moreno J.P. .
Source: Current Nutrition Reports, 2019-01-16 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2019-01-16 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30649714
Related Citations

Influence of the PROP bitter taste phenotype and eating attitudes on energy intake and weight status in pre-adolescents: a 6-year follow-up study.
Authors: Oftedal K.N. , Tepper B.J. .
Source: Physiology & Behavior, 2013-06-13 00:00:00.0; 118, p. 103-11.
EPub date: 2013-06-13 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 23680431
Related Citations

Components of the diet associated with child adiposity: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Ledoux T.A. , Watson K. , Barnett A. , Nguyen N.T. , Baranowski J.C. , Baranowski T. .
Source: Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition, 2011 Dec; 30(6), p. 536-46.
PMID: 22331689
Related Citations

6-n-propylthiouracil taster status not related to reported cruciferous vegetable intake among ethnically diverse children.
Authors: Baranowski T. , Baranowski J.C. , Watson K.B. , Jago R. , Islam N. , Beltran A. , Martin S.J. , Nguyen N. , Tepper B.J. .
Source: Nutrition Research (new York, N.y.), 2011 Aug; 31(8), p. 594-600.
PMID: 21925344
Related Citations

Overeating styles and adiposity among multiethnic youth.
Authors: Ledoux T. , Watson K. , Baranowski J. , Tepper B.J. , Baranowski T. .
Source: Appetite, 2011 Feb; 56(1), p. 71-7.
PMID: 21115080
Related Citations

6-n-Propylthiouracil sensitivity and obesity status among ethnically diverse children.
Authors: Baranowski J.C. , Baranowski T. , Beltran A. , Watson K.B. , Jago R. , Callie M. , Missaghian M. , Tepper B.J. .
Source: Public Health Nutrition, 2010 Oct; 13(10), p. 1587-92.
PMID: 20025833
Related Citations

How many days was that? We're still not sure, but we're asking the question better!
Authors: Baranowski T. , Mâsse L.C. , Ragan B. , Welk G. .
Source: Medicine And Science In Sports And Exercise, 2008 Jul; 40(7 Suppl), p. S544-9.
PMID: 18562972
Related Citations

Diverse food items are similarly categorized by 8- to 13-year-old children.
Authors: Beltran A. , Knight Sepulveda K. , Watson K. , Baranowski T. , Baranowski J. , Islam N. , Missaghian M. .
Source: Journal Of Nutrition Education And Behavior, 2008 May-Jun; 40(3), p. 149-59.
PMID: 18457783
Related Citations

Nutritional implications of genetic taste variation: the role of PROP sensitivity and other taste phenotypes.
Authors: Tepper B.J. .
Source: Annual Review Of Nutrition, 2008; 28, p. 367-88.
PMID: 18407743
Related Citations