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Changes in salivary proteome and flavour perception induced by a physical activity program in overweight and obese children

Project description

Exploring the link between flavour perception and healthy habits

Childhood obesity is a pressing global concern, affecting a third of children in the WHO European region. This issue not only jeopardises immediate health, but it also sets a trajectory for future obesity in adulthood. In this context, the EU-funded FLAVOUR2HEALTHYCHILD project aims to explore the intricate relationship between food preferences, eating patterns, and body weight in children aged 5-12. By investigating the role of salivary proteome in flavour perception, the project aims to uncover how it influences food choices, especially in the context of weight and lifestyle differences. Through a 3-month physical activity programme, researchers will study Portuguese children to elucidate critical insights into fostering healthy habits early on, which is crucial in combating childhood obesity.

Objective

Overweight and obesity in children is growing worldwide at alarming rate, affecting 1/3 of children in WHO European region. This is a matter of concern since an overweight child has a high probability to be an obese adult. In the case of children, dietary patterns and lifestyle starts to be developed at this age, therefore is essential promote in them healthy habits.
Despite of the relationship between obesity and food consumption habits, it is still unknown how the food preferences can determine eating patterns, and finally body weight, since the way food is perceived in the mouth is decisive for its medium-long term acceptance or rejection. Regarding this, understanding fundamental aspects of eating behaviour is crucial to develop strategies aimed at promoting healthy diets and preventing obesity.
In the last few years, evidence emerged about the participation of salivary proteome in food oral perception, as salivary proteins can interact with flavour molecules (e.g. aroma compounds). In spite of this, the role of salivary proteome on oral perception is not fully understood yet. Moreover, saliva presents plasticity, and the levels of salivary proteins may differ with different metabolic or physiological conditions (e.g. obesity), changing also with food intake/dietary habits. As such, more studies are necessary to gain understanding about how salivary proteins may impact flavour perception.
The purpose of this action is to elucidate how salivary proteome could contribute to flavour perception, potentially affecting food choices, and if this impact could vary depending on the body weight and lifestyle. This focusing on children (5-12 years) as a risk group of population for develop obesity. For that, the research objectives aimed to determine changes in salivary proteome and sensory responsiveness (taste sensitivity and retronasal aroma) induced by a 3-month physical activity program in healthy weight, overweight and obese children from Portugal.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-02

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDADE DE EVORA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 156 778,56
Address
LARGO DOS COLEGIAIS 2
7000 803 Evora
Portugal

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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