Understanding how young children's sense of smell affects their eating habits and weight.
Official title: Development of Retronasal Smell Perception in Young Children and Relation with BMI
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11070516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how kids aged 4 to 6 use their sense of smell to enjoy different flavors and make food choices, with the goal of finding fun ways to help them eat healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022149-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 4 to 6 years who are developing their eating habits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 4 to 6 years, or those with significant olfactory impairments, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the sense of smell influences flavor perception and eating habits in young children, particularly those aged 4 to 6 years. By examining the relationship between olfactory perception and dietary choices, the study aims to identify ways to encourage healthier eating behaviors. The approach includes using non-verbal rating procedures to assess children's responses to different flavors and smells. The findings could inform interventions designed to improve nutrition and health in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective strategies for promoting healthier eating habits in young children, potentially reducing obesity rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions targeting flavor perception can successfully influence dietary choices, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colbert, Sarah Elizabeth — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Colbert, Sarah Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.