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A new report by U.S. researchers shows severe ear infections in children can be strongly linked to the risk of obesity later on in life.
Research findings were recently presented at the American Psychological Association’s 116th Annual Convention, in Boston.
"Obesity is a growing dilemma worldwide and middle ear infections are common childhood ailments," said Linda Bartoshuk, PhD, of the University of Florida College Of Dentistry. “Any potential correlation between these two very important public health matters is noteworthy.”
Bartoshuk presented the findings from preliminary studies that strongly suggest a link between taste damage from constant middle ear infections (also known as otitis media – inflammation of the middle ear) and a preference for fatty foods.
A few reports have addressed the matter so far. In one study, 6,500 people between the ages of 16 and 92 answered a host of health questions to help researchers to ascertain history of ear infections in proportion to their body mass index (BMI).
The findings showed those with a severe to moderate history of ear infections were 62 percent more likely to become obese.
Another study of more than 13,000 children between the ages of 6 and 17 who had surgery to remove their tonsils, a common treatment for chronic ear infections, suggests
there are lasting effects of tonsillectomies on taste nerves that can affect
eating habits increasing obesity risk.
Childhood obesity has more than doubled over the past 20 years, said Kathleen Daly, PhD, of the University of Minnesota. More data is needed on this very important health matter. The greater the data, the greater likelihood we can help to prevent it from happening, said Daly. #