[fgummett]

CTV.ca | Ear infections linked to increased risk of obesity

Damage caused by chronic ear infections may be linked to an increased taste for fatty foods, which could increase a person's risk for obesity later in life, new research suggests.

A team of American researchers reviewed several studies and found evidence that damage [to] a person's ability to taste, caused by ear infections, was linked to an increased intake of high-fat foods.

The scientists presented their findings Thursday at the American Psychological Association's annual convention in Boston.

In one study of more than 6,500 people between the ages of 16 and 92, researchers in Florida found that those with a history of chronic middle ear infections were 62 per cent more likely to be obese.

"Middle ear infection is a common childhood disease and obesity is a growing problem worldwide," Linda Bartoshuk, of the University of Florida College of Dentistry, said in a statement. "Any potential association between these two public health issues is of considerable interest."

Researchers at Brown University and the University of Connecticut also found links between ear infections and poor food choices.

In one study, middle aged women who had some taste nerve damage ate sweet and high-fat foods more often than healthier foods and were more likely to have larger waistlines. In another study, preschoolers with a history of severe ear infections ate more sweets and fewer vegetables and weighed more than kids who did not get ear infections.

"This suggests that taste damage from ear infections may alter food choice and thus lead to obesity risk," Brown University's John Hayes said in a statement.

The researchers also found a link between having the tonsils removed and an increased risk for weight problems.

They found that more than 13,000 kids between the ages of six and 17 who took part in the United States National Health Examination Survey were more likely to be overweight if they had their tonsils removed.

In fact, younger children between the ages of six and 11 who had their tonsils removed were 40 per cent more likely to be overweight. And teenaged girls who had their tonsils out were 30 per cent more likely to be overweight.

"This data suggests that there are lingering effects of tonsillectomies on taste nerves and that can affect eating habits," epidemiologist Howard Hoffman said in a statement.

The researchers did not speculate how the nerve damage of ear infections could influence food choices.

[fgummett]

Although I question the assumptions made above about obesity and high-fat foods, or the fact that obesity is being treated as a psychological problem... I do believe that this study adds credence to the idea that food-choices are less "conscious" than we may like to think, and more physiologically driven.

[fgummett]

Interesting how the media "spins" these stories.
Here is the page for the presentation at the APA 2008 Convention web site: APA News: Are ear infections linked to obesity?

Are ear infections linked to obesity?

They say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, but the best way to his stomach may be through his ears. New research suggests that ear infections in early childhood have a profound effect on obesity later in life.

Researchers presented evidence that suggests children who suffer from repeated middle ear infections, known as otitis media, are much more likely to be overweight as children and as adults.

Yale ear, nose and throat researcher Linda Bartoshuk, PhD, presented her study results Thursday during APA's convention. She found that males in particular with a history of otitis media are almost twice as likely to be overweight and obese than men who have no history of the condition.

"This is not a small effect," she said.

The same pattern appears in women, but to a lesser extent.

How could an ear infection influence someone's weight? An important taste nerve, the chorda tympia, runs from the tongue up through the middle ear and finally into the brain. If the middle ear is infected, the nerve can get damaged. The effect is that certain tastes, especially sweets and fats, get intensified, leading to less healthy eating behaviors.

"Over time, a history of ear infection contributes to a more energy-dense diet" and consequently, higher rates of obesity, le graduate student Derek Snyder.

[my bold emphasis]

Note that the presenters say, "certain tastes, especially sweets and fats, get intensified"... the media reports that as, "chronic ear infections may be linked to an increased taste for fatty foods"

[HelenM]

I do believe that this study adds credence to the idea that food-choices are less "conscious" than we may like to think, and more physiologically driven.

I can't find a full description of the studies so like you I'm only reading press releases but I'm very sceptical about this one.
There were three studies linking weight and ENT problems.
In the large study of adults the methodology/ data collection was rather unusual ,relying totally on self reported memories from a miscellaneous collection of subjects: surveys answered by attendees at lectures.
One study proposes that children with middle ear infections ate more sweets, less veg and were overweight.
The third that those that had tonsillectomies were more likely to be overweight.

These three studies are then linked with one describing middle aged women with a damaged taste nerves who are also overweight. Why are these linked ? Presumably because : 'An important taste nerve, the chorda tympia, runs from the tongue up through the middle ear and finally into the brain. If the middle ear is infected, the nerve can get damaged'
Is there any evidence to show that children with ENT problems such as otits media or who have had tonsellectomies develop such damage?

Could it be that overweight children are more likely to get ear infections? Which came first?

Another theory (homegrown): Continued ear infections affecting hearing, language development and possible balance might lead to introversion, lack of activity and to eating more. That would be a possible area to research and far more within the expertise of psychologists!


Personal prejudice for my thesis admitted!
My son (never overweight) had to have grommets inserted at age 4. The operation was succesful but I believe was beneficial in other ways .As he could hear better, his language skills improved, he became more sociable, more independent. As his balance also improved he became more adventurous and more active.
Incidently, I have nothing against psychologists since my degrees are in psychology

[fgummett]

Hey Helen, I also have nothing but respect for Psychologists ... I am just restating that I believe obesity to be physiological and not a behavioural issue.

As for the question of which came first, I found this statement in one of the related news stories:

Kids who suffer frequent ear infections more at risk for obesity - TwinCities.com

While the studies don't necessarily prove a cause and effect, they suggest a risk for obesity that parents and doctors should consider, said Kathleen Daly, a U of M professor of otolaryngology.
...
Daly expects plenty of skeptics. Some of her colleagues questioned the results, saying she was looking at them backwards. It might be, they suggested, that obese children are more prone to ear infections.

When Daly re-examined the data, she said their reverse theory didn't hold up. Bartoshuk, likewise, said her survey revealed adults who had ear infections first, and weight problems later.

[bold emphasis is mine]

I also agree that treatment for chronic middle ear infections is justified and correct... as you say, it helps children develop language skills etc...

[REDLAN]

Could it be that overweight children are more likely to get ear infections? Which came first?

let's ask a different question...

is there anything that could be both associated with obesity and also middle ear infections?

what about the effects of income/social class?

1) Do people of lowest income/social class not have the highest rates of obesity?

and

2) What's the chances they also have the highest rates of middle ear infections in childhood?

well for the first question, it's big yes - poverty is very much positively associated with obesity.

and for the second? Well...

low income/social class is always associated with poorer health outcomes for just about every class of disease you can think of. So it would not be unreasonable to expect middle ear infections to be more common too.

and on a related note...

a 60% increase in Relative Risk for an observational study (especially one that looked at multiple factors aka the data dredge) is ummm...

laughable small, and could very easily occur by chance (regardless of statistical significance).

You really need at least a doubling of risk in an observational study for it to be credible. Some authors require an RR of at least 5 times for it to be taken seriously.