poor enrollment

This study will explore whether a relationship exists between insulin and leptin resistance, sweet taste responsiveness, and adiposity.

Compared to healthy weight peers, some reports have shown that they are less sensitive to, or perceptive of, sucrose solutions and sweet foods, whereas others have observed the opposite pattern of findings or no difference at all. Among those seeking weight loss treatment, one investigation found perception and preferences for sweet taste remained unchanged after weight loss, and another observed a decreased ability to distinguish sweet taste from other taste solutions. Given these discrepancies in the literature, the proposed study will explore whether a relationship exists between insulin and leptin resistance, sweet taste responsiveness, and adiposity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient of Children's Healthy Weigh of Buffalo
• ages of 8-14

If enrolled in the bariatric arm:

• must be scheduled for bariatric surgery prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients unable to get labs drawn at a Kaleida facility
• Severe hay fever or seasonal allergies within 2 weeks of enrollment
• smoker or are exposed to second-hand smoke at home,
• has been dieting to lose weight within the past 6 months of enrollment
• currently taking any prescription medications that can influence taste or small functions or are pregnant.
• pregnancy
• Bariatric arm patients will be excluded if they fail to have the surgery.