Dietary intake of individual and total carotenoids in relation to overweight and obesity: findings from the PERSIAN cohort study

BACKGROUND: Dietary carotenoids may have independent positive impacts on a range of health-related outcomes such as obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between individual and total dietary carotenoids and the likelihood of being overweight or obese.

METHODS: Dietary intakes of 4202 participants of the PERSIAN cohort study were investigated by a 237-item FFQ, and carotenoid intake was determined using the USDA food databases. Models of logistic regression were applied to assess the association between obesity and overweight and dietary intake of carotenoids after adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS: Higher total carotenoid intake was associated with reduced risk of overweight (energy-adjusted OR: 0.647, 95% CI: 0.429-0.975, P = 0.037) and obesity (energy-adjusted OR: 0.395, 95% CI: 0.244-0.640, P < 0.001). Specific individual carotenoids, including β-carotene (OR: 0.510, 95% CI: 0.356-0.731, P < 0.001), lutein/zeaxanthin (OR: 0.479, 95% CI: 0.331-0.692, P < 0.001), and phytoene (OR = 0.450, 95% CI = 0.306-0.661, P < 0.001) exhibited stronger inverse associations compared to lycopene and astaxanthin.

CONCLUSION: Diets rich in specific carotenoids, particularly β-carotene, lutein, and phytoene, may reduce the risk of both overweight and obesity. Future research ought to examine the mechanisms behind the relations of carotenoids with public health issues.