Bitter Taste and Weight Loss in Women

Dislike of the diet is a common complaint in weight loss therapy that contributes to poor
outcomes. Ironically, individual food preferences are rarely taken into account in designing
weight-loss interventions. In the proposed research, we will utilize genetically-determined
differences in food preferences, indexed by PROP bitter taste phenotype to develop a novel
approach to weight loss therapy. The overall goal of this project is to determine if weight
loss following a 6 month intervention can be substantially improved by matching participants
with diets that reflect their genetically-determined food preferences. The study is designed
as a randomized clinical weight-loss intervention trial in women in which PROP non-tasters
and super-tasters. will be randomized to either the low-carbohydrate or the low-fat diet
condition

Inclusion Criteria:

Body mass index (BMI) between 27 and 40 kg/m squared No weight loss for 3 months prior to
the study Stable hypertension, dyslipemia or Type 2 diabetes - with permission from primary
care provider Oral therapy to treat Type 2 diabetes - with permission from primary care
provider.

Able to walk 2 block without stopping

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant, lactating or planning to become pregnant during the trial History of
cardiovascular disease (infarct, angina, arrhythmia or stroke) Recent chemotherapy or
radiation therapy Liver, renal or thyroid disease Concurrent or recent (last 6 months)
participation in any other weight loss intervention Insulin injection Medications to
control appetite or weight Major psychiatric illnesses