Obese subjects have shown a preference for dietary lipids. A recent collection of evidence has proposed that a variant in the CD36 gene plays a significant role in this pathway. We assessed the association between the orosensory detection of a long-chain fatty acid, i.e. oleic acid (OA), and genetic polymorphism of the lipid taste sensor CD36 in obese and normal-weight subjects. Adult participants were recruited in the fasting condition. They were invited to fat taste perception sessions, using emulsions containing OA and according to the three-alternative forced-choice (3-AFC) method. Genomic DNA was used to determine the polymorphism (SNP rs 1761667) of the CD36 gene. Obese (n 50; BMI 34⋅97 (sd 4⋅02) kg/m2) exhibited a significantly higher oral detection threshold for OA (3⋅056 (sd 3⋅53) mmol/l) than did the normal-weight (n 50; BMI 22⋅16 (sd 1⋅81) kg/m2) participants (1⋅20 (sd 3⋅23) mmol/l; P = 0⋅007). There was a positive correlation between OA detection thresholds and BMI in all subjects; evenly with body fat percentage (BF%). AA genotype was more frequent in the obese group than normal-weight group. OA detection thresholds were much higher for AA and AG genotypes in obese subjects compared with normal-weight participants. Higher oral detection thresholds for fatty acid taste are related to BMI, BF% and not always to CD36 genotype.

Purpose This study aims to determine the threshold of salt taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and body mass index (BMI) among a sample of Moroccan population. Design/methodology/approach A simple-blind experimental study was conducted among 201 healthy subjects to determine the threshold of salt taste recognition and to evaluate differences by sex, age and BMI among a sample of Moroccan population. The threshold of salt taste recognition was determined based on the validated the three alternatives forced choice method. A total of 11 prepared solutions of sodium chloride at different concentrations ranging from 0–500 mmol/L were used. Findings The average of the total population was 14.6 ± 10.9 mmol/L. And, 84% of the total population recognized the salt taste at the concentration of 15 mmol/L. Women participants detected the salt taste at a lower rate (53% versus 38% at 8 mmol/L, p = 0.02, in women and men, respectively). The mean values of the threshold among women was significantly lower (12.6 ± 8.1 mmol/L) compared to men (16.7 ± 12.8 mmol/L), p < 0.001. No statistical difference was obtained among either age groups or BMI categories. Originality/value The present study showed that the average threshold of salt taste recognition is high, and that it is even higher in men compared to women. At a community level, a progressive reduction of salt in food items is recommended.

Background: The use of cooking salt (sodium chloride) for bread preparation is due to several important sensory and technological properties. Even considered as an essential micronutrient and a salty taste stimulus, a significant dietary sodium intake is positively correlated with high blood pressure levels and some heart diseases. Recently, Morocco has adopted a plan to reduce salt consumption aiming to reinforce the prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and to contribute to the achievement of 2025 global voluntary targets, set by the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2). Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the acceptance of bakery bread with a different percentage reduction of salt by the Moroccan population. Subjects and Methods: Various percentages of salt reduction in experimental bread; 7%, 10%, 16%, 23%, 30%, and 53%, were tasted and compared with standard market bread by 201 individuals. “Just About Right” (JAR) and purchase scales were utilized to score the different sample bread. Results: Bread with 10% and 16% salt reduction were highly accepted by 76% and 79% of tasters, respectively. Based on the JAR score, these types of bread were considered as “just about right’ by 50% and 57% of the participants respectively. The best average score of purchase intent was obtained for salt content of 1.62g and 1.56g per 100g for a reduction of 10% and 16% respectively. Conclusions: The current adopted strategy allows a 16% sodium reduction while maintaining taste quality. Keywords: Sodium chloride, bread, salt reduction, Moroccan population.

No abstract

IntroductionMorocco has recently developed a plan of reducing sugar consumption to reinforce prevention of non-communicable diseases and to contribute to the achievement of global voluntary targets for non-communicable diseases set by ICN2 by 2025. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance of yogurts with different percentage reduction of sugar by the Moroccan population.MethodsA total of 201 participants (age > 15 y.) were recruited to determine the level of sugar reduction in yogurt. Sucrose was added to a plain yoghurt in the following different concentrations 166.5; 149.8; 133.2; 116.5; 99; 83.2 mM/l, corresponding to the reduction of sugar of 0%, -10%, -20%, -30%, -40% and -50%, respectively, compared available yogurt in local market. Overall, the acceptability scores of the different yoghurts were based on liking, “Just About Right” (JAR) and purchase intent scales was used to score the different yoghurts.ResultsYogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were highly accepted by 81% and 74% of respondents. Based on JAR score, yoghurt with 20% (133.2mM/l) and 30% (116.5 mM/l) reduction were considered as “Just about right” by 42.7% and 44.3% respectively. Best average score of purchase intent was obtained for sucrose concentration of 149.8 mM/l. 35.8% and 40.3% for yoghurt with sucrose concentration of 133.2 mM/l and 116.5 mM/l respectively.ConclusionThe finding from this study indicated that yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were most accepted by respondents. Advocacy before dairy industry to have them commit towards sugar reduction in yogurt is needed, in order to help achieving the national sugar reduction strategy in Morocco.

In addition to age, gender, body weight, hormonal status as well as certain physiological and pathological states, other factors exert considerable effects on calcium (Ca) retention and therefore on its urinary excretion. Among these other factors, many dietary nutrients have all been discussed as factors affecting urinary Ca through different studies. Thus, our study aims to evaluate the impact of various nutritional factors on urinary Ca excretion among a sample of Moroccan children and adolescents aged from 6 to 18 years old. A total of 133 Moroccan children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years were involved in this study. Participants were required from public and private schools in Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region. For each participant, anthropometry data, food record and 24-h urine samples were collected. Urinary Ca was estimated using ICP-mass spectrometry. The urinary Ca average was 73.58±37.13 mg/day. Urinary Ca excretion had no significant association (p>0.05) with different studied nutrients (r=-0.082, r=0.118, r=-0.025, r=0.142, r=0.084, r=0.119 for Ca, proteins, vitamin D, sodium, phosphorus and magnesium intakes respectively).The current impact evaluation of various nutritional factors on urinary Ca excretion suggests that Ca requirement may be not influenced by nutrients intake but it is highly recommended for researchers to carry out more studies and define all factors that cause Ca deficiency in Moroccan children and adolescents.

No abstract

Background: The incidence of worldwide obesity is on the increase. Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. 39% of adults, aged 18 years and over, were overweight in 2016 and 13% were obese. Aims: To examine the association of dietary patterns, socioeconomic status, and the body mass index in Moroccan adults. Methods and Material: This is an analytical case-control study, conducted among obese (n=100) and non-obese (n=150) subjects, aged between 18 and 59 years old, when women represented 60% of participants. At recruitment, all anthropometric parameters were measured. The body composition was assessed by the use of impedance meter. Dietary habits were assessed using 24 hours’ food recall and food frequency questionnaire. The results were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) and the chi-squared (χ2-test) test and the percent distribution. Results: Our results showed that abdominal obesity and overall body fat (BF) percent were much prevalent among the obese group (BF% >30). There was a significant association between the lack of physical activity (p=0.002), educational level (p=0.001) and the risk of development of obesity. Concerning the age (p=0.06) and the gender (p>0.05) of the participants, there was no difference regarding these parameters and the risk of development of obesity (p>0.05). A strong relationship between marriage and the development of obesity was found, when 83.90% of the obese group were married, whereas 73.70% of the non-obese group were single (p<0.001). Concerning dietary assessment, our data revealed that the energy consumption of lipids slightly exceeds the recommended target. The major consumed foodstuffs by the obese group were oils and fats. Conclusions: The adult participants of the region of Rabat have an unbalanced body weight status resulting from an altered dietary behavior and from an altered socioeconomic profile that can lead to various health complications. Further studies are required on a large population aiming to develop effective strategies to fight the rapid increase of obesity. Keywords : Obesity, body mass index, dietary behavior, socioeconomic status.