A report released in U.S. by researchers led by Linda Bartoshuk of the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry has shown that ear infections in children are strongly related to the risk of obesity. After the researchers studied some reports they have stated the link between obesity and ear infections.

The relationship between these two apparently not connected health problems is that ear infections cause taste damage to people who suffer of them. This damaged taste makes the people consume more fat foods and increase their risk of becoming obese.

The study showed that children who suffered ear infections were 60% likely to become overweighed that the children who hadn’t suffered of the same infection. The researchers presented their study at the American Psychological Association which celebrated its 116th annual convention in Boston.

Studies have been made on more than 6500 people aged between 16 and 92 and these showed that those who had otitis media were 62% likely to become obese. Middle-aged women with taste nerve damage were more likely to consume sweets and fat food and preschoolers who had ear infections eat fewer vegetables and more sweets.

Another study made on 13,000 children aged between 6 and 17 also showed that those who had their tonsils removed and the tonsillectomies damaged their taste nerves were more likely to gain weight.