Adolescent acceptance of different foods by obesity status and by sex

This work investigated possible differences in food preference between obes e and normal-weight adolescents, as well as between female and male seventh -grade pupils (average age = 13.1 years). Survey of affinities for nine foo d groups was determined with a facial hedonic scale. The children were divi ded according to their BMI into normal-weight and obese group, respectively . In this sample of adolescents, we could not find any proof for the theory of increased preference for fattening foods by obese compared to normal-we ight people. In fact, our normal-weight group showed greater liking of swee ts, meat, and cereals than the obese group. Normal-weight boys also preferr ed meat and sweets more than normal-weight girls. We consider psychological and social factors (e.g., perception of ideal body shape or social stigmat ism of obesity) as the most logical explanations for the observed differenc es. Further research should clarify whether food preference plays a signifi cant role in the etiology of adolescent obesity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.