Association of Sensory Liking for Fat with Dietary Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults

Individual sensory liking is perceived as a major determinant of dietary intake and may influence chronic disease. This study aimed to assess the odds of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults based on their liking for fat. Data from 7731 adults aged 40-69, included in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, were collected. Fat liking scores were obtained from self-report questionnaires. In both genders, sensory liking for fat was positively associated with consumption of red meat and added fat. Subjects with a stronger liking for fat showed a higher intake of energy and fat and a lower intake of vitamin C and fiber as compared to subjects with a lower liking for fat. There were increasing trends in the odds of metabolic syndrome with stronger liking for fat (odds ratios (ORs) for the Like group compared to the Dislike group, men: ORs = 1.29 (95% confidence interval 1.06-1.50) rho-trend = 0.01; women: ORs = 1.28 (1.04-1.58) rho-trend = 0.018) after adjustment for age, alcohol intake, smoking, exercise, education level, and income status. Our results suggested that the liking for fat-rich food might partially contribute to the increased odds of metabolic syndrome.