Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
The Role of the Olfactory System in Obesity and Metabolism in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lolita Matiashova1, Anouk Lisa Hoogkamer1, Katharina Timper1,2
1Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Obesity, linked to chronic diseases, poses a global health challenge. While the role of the olfactory system in energy homeostasis is well-documented in rodents, its role in metabolism regulation and obesity in humans remains understudied. This review examines the interplay between olfactory function and metabolic alterations in human obesity and the effects of bariatric surgery on olfactory capabilities in humans. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, focusing exclusively on original human studies. From 51 articles, 14 were selected for the meta-analysis. It was found that variations in olfactory receptor genes influence the susceptibility to odors and predisposition to weight gain and poor eating habits. Bariatric surgery, particularly sleeve gastrectomy, shows significant improvements in olfactory function (SMD 2.37, 95% CI [0.96, 3.77], I = 92%, p = 0.001), especially regarding the olfactory threshold (SMD -1.65, 95% CI [-3.03, -0.27], I = 81%, p = 0.02). There is a bidirectional relationship between olfactory function and metabolism in humans. Bariatric surgery improves olfactory perception in obese patients, but it is still unclear if impacting the olfactory system directly affects eating behavior and the energy balance. However, these findings open novel avenues for future studies addressing the olfactory system as a novel target to alter systemic metabolism in humans.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Obesity
Regulation of Food Intake
Regulation of Metabolism

