(P19-045-23) Smell Dysfunction in US Adults Is Associated With Ultraprocessed Food Intake, Depression and Obesity Risk

Objectives: Sensory stimulation influences food selection and dietary intake, and also influences enjoyment of food and cooking. Loss of smell and smell dysfunction (olfactory dysfunction, OD) have been documented results of COVID-19 infection, and can continue well past patient recovery. OD may therefore alter dietary intake and influence risk for health conditions, including obesity and depression.The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between OD, dietary intake, and depression in a nationally representative sample of US adults.

Methods: Data from a nationally representative sample of 3,301 adults >40y of age who participated in the NHANES was used in this study. As part of the NHANES, height and weight were measured by trained examiners, depression was quantified using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; OD was measured using the validated NHANES Pocket Smell Test and affirmative responses to questions about either a recent smell problem, worse ability since age 25, or phantosmia. Dietary intake data was collected using 24-hour recall, and ultraprocessed food intake was quantified using the NOVA scale. Data analysis was conducted using SAS 9.4 using procedures to account for the complex survey design of the NHANES. All models were adjusted for age, sex, race, educational attainment, and household income.

Results: OD was associated with several health risks in adults. OD was associated with significantly higher BMI and increased adjusted odds of both obesity (OR=1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) and depression (OR 2.01 95% CI 1.6 - 2.6). OD was also associated with several components of overall dietary intake. Adults with OD had significantly higher dietary energy density, greater intake of ultraprocesed foods, and consumed greater quantities of solid fats (p=0.0064), added sugars (p=0.05) and fewer servings of vegetables (p=0.04) than adults without OD.

Conclusions: Smell dysfunction was associated with obesity, depression and increased consumption of empty calories. Given the recent proliferation of olfactory dysfunction (OD) due to lingering complications from COVID-19, it is important to understand the potential increase in health risk associated with anosmia.

Funding Sources: None