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

  • 2026-01-28
  • Nutrition & metabolism 23(1)
    • Majid Kamali
    • Golsa Khalatbari Mohseni
    • Mahsa Shapouri
    • Masoomeh Alsadat Mirshafaei
    • Yeganeh Shekari
    • Malikeh Mohajerani
    • Torsten Bohn
    • Ali Nouri
    • Faezeh Tejareh
    • Barbod Alhouei
    • Maryam Gholamalizadeh
    • Farhad Vahid
    • Akram Kooshki
    • Saeid Doaei

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 4,202
Population
4202 participants of the PERSIAN cohort study
Methods
Dietary intakes investigated by a 237-item FFQ, carotenoid intake determined using USDA food databases, logistic regression models adjusted for confounders
Funding
Unclear

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.

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