Olfactory Function and Hedonic Hunger in Adults with Different BMI Classes

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate olfactory function and hedonic hunger among adults with different body mass index (BMI) categories.Material and Methods: This study was conducted between February 2025 and January 2026 at a private nutrition counseling center and included 160 participants aged 18–64 years. Demographic, anthropometric, and health data were collected. The Assessment of Self-Reported Olfactory Function (ASOF), Power of Food Scale (PFS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were administered. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v27.Result: No significant differences were observed in ASOF subscale scores or PFS subscale and total scores across BMI groups (p>0.05). Although total VAS scores did not differ by BMI, significant differences were found in the subscales Creamy Pastries and Bakery Products, French Fries, Bread Varieties, and total VAS scores (p<0.05). No significant correlations were found between ASOF and PFS scores in any BMI group. In overweight and obese participants, VAS total scores showed weak to moderate positive correlations with PFS subscales and total scores (p<0.05).Conclusion: Olfactory function did not differ across BMI groups and was not associated with hedonic hunger. However, hedonic responses assessed by VAS were associated with PFS scores in overweight and obese individuals, suggesting that hedonic hunger may influence eating behavior independently of olfactory function.