Placing sensory science in health Research : Correlates of sensory taste perception&preferences, healthy eating and health outcomes in European Children

Based on unique data from a large-scale pan-European cohort study in children, adolescents and their families, the present thesis investigated for the first time factors that may influence sensory taste perception and taste preferences in childhood. This thesis took advantage of the great diversity of food environments across Europe and considered biological/ physiological factors (sex, age, number of fungiform papillae) as well as genetic and familial factors (biological parents, parental consumer attitudes/ education level and dietary habits) simultaneously. Since it is very challenging to obtain valid results about sensory taste perception from children, instruments and test systems were adapted to be used in children with various cultural backgrounds. This thesis analysed sensory test methods to investigate their feasibility and suitability for future large-scale observational studies in young populations. Connecting sensory taste perception with health outcomes presents an innovative research field.