Carotenoids linked to lower childhood obesity rates, new study finds

Carotenoids may be key to supporting healthy body mass index (BMI) and reducing childhood obesity, according to results from a recently published study.¹ Carotenoids, the study explains, help manage obesity-related metabolic pathways. The cross-sectional study, “Inverse relationship between serum carotenoid levels and obesity prevalence in children and adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis,” was published in BMC Pediatrics in August 2025.

Carotenoids may support lower BMI and reduced obesity in children

The study authors examined data from 1,329 participants ages 6-19. The carotenoids studied were α-carotene, β-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, combined lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene. Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018.

Results of the study showed:

• Higher levels of all carotenoids except lycopene were associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity
• β-carotene in particular showed the greatest association with BMI and obesity

In a similar study published in 2017, “Effects of Mixed Carotenoids on Adipokines and Abdominal Adiposity in Children: A Pilot Study,” researchers tested mixed-carotenoid supplementation (MCS) compared with placebo on abdominal fat accrual over six months in 17 children.²

Takeaways from this study include:

1. MCS supplementation increased β-carotene and decreased BMI z-score compared with placebo
2. An inverse correlation was seen between β-carotene and BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio, visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT)

Carotenoid supplements: Opportunities for the nutraceutical industry

As the 2025 study notes, carotenoids must be obtained through fruits and vegetables, though national data shows that almost 40% of US children 18 and under are not receiving the recommended daily amount of fruit and nearly 90% are not meeting intake levels for vegetables.

“For the nutraceutical industry, this opens new opportunities for science-backed innovation,” said Bryan See, vice president of PhytoGaia, in a press release³. Phytogaia develops and supplies a natural palm-mixed carotene complex (CaroGaia) to various markets worldwide. “PhytoGaia’s CaroGaia, a natural mixed-carotene complex extracted from sustainably sourced palm fruits, is rich in α-carotene and β-carotene, making it an ideal choice for multi-carotenoid or multi-vitamin formulations. We look forward to partnering with brand owners to create innovative, science-driven products using CaroGaia.”

References

1. Chen, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Shi, J. Inverse relationship between serum carotenoid levels and obesity prevalence in children and adolescents: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis. BMC Pediatr 2025, 617. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-025-05983-0
2. Canas, JA.; Lochrie, A.; McGowan, AG.; Hossain, J.; Schettino, C.; Balagopal, PB. Effects of Mixed Carotenoids on Adipokines and Abdominal Adiposity in Children: A Pilot Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2017. 102(6), 1983–1990, DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-00185
3. PhytoGaia. New Study Links Higher Carotenoid Levels and Lower Obesity Risk. September 9, 2025.