Eating Habits and Body Weight Changes Induced by Variation in Smell and Taste in Patients with Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are recognized as common symptoms in patients with COVID-19, with a prevalence ranging, respectively, between 41–61% and 38.2–49%. This review focused on relating the variations in dietary habits with the reduction/loss of smell and/or taste in patients who contracted the COVID-19 infection. Primarily, we reviewed the main pathological mechanisms involved in COVID 19-induced anosmia/dysosmia and ageusia/dysgeusia. Then, we explored and summarized the behavioural changes in food intake and body weight during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to sensory impairment and the underlying mechanisms. Most studies on this topic argue that the altered chemosensory perception (taste and smell) mainly induces reduced appetite, leading to a faster fullness sensation during the consumption of a meal and, therefore, to a decrease in body weight. On the other hand, a reduced perception of the food’s sensory properties may trigger compensatory responses that lead some individuals to increase food intake with a different effect on body weight. Regarding body weight, most studies evaluated malnutrition in patients hospitalized for COVID-19; more studies are warranted to investigate nutritional status specifically in non-hospitalized patients with olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by COVID-19 infection.

Unraveling the Complex Web of Long COVID symptoms: A Network Analysis Approach

“…This relationship was indirectly connected through the loss of appetite, suggesting that losing taste and smell sensations contribute to loss of appetite, which subsequently may result in weight loss. This observation aligns with prior research indicating that diminished appetite due to the loss of taste and smell precedes weight loss in individuals previously infected with COVID-19 (36). Identifying indirect relationships between symptoms offers insights into the co-occurrence of certain symptoms and potential strategies for alleviating their adverse effects.…”

Neuropsychological Symptoms and Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Children: A Survey in a Pediatric Population in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

“…A direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on eating habits has not been clarified. However, some authors suggested that the transient alteration in taste and smell chemosensory receptors might play a role [50] in altered food intake. This may resolve quickly after acute infection, except for cases with persistent symptoms, showing a higher risk of eating-disorder development [51].…”

Exploring the research landscape of COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction: A bibliometric study

“…Within the six research clusters, four clusters, including smell, anosmia, olfactory dysfunction, and recovery, are focused on OD and its related themes. Multiple studies have reported that the senses of smell and taste are the most frequently impacted in patients with neocoronary pneumonia, with OD and taste impairment being key symptoms of the illness (Lechien et al, 2020;Ferrulli et al, 2022). Among them, OD is classified into two levels: olfactory loss (anosmia) and olfactory decline (hyposmia).…”