Increased android body fat is associated with lower serum β-carotene in U.S. adults

Objectives:Multiple studies have demonstrated a positive relationship between adiposity, especially visceral adiposity, and cardiometabolic diseases. Longitudinal studies have shown an inverse relationship between serum β-carotene (BC) and cardiometabolic diseases; however, the relationship between serum BC and location-specific body fat percentage in population samples has not been assessed. Our primary objective was to determine the association between adiposity and serum BC concentrations utilizing datasets from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Methods:Data were obtained from NHANES 2003-2006 using multistage probability sampling. Android fat percentage (AF%) and gynoid fat percentage (GF%) measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and serum BC concentrations for 3,833 male and non-pregnant female participants aged 20-85 years in the United States were assessed. Pearson correlations were assessed between variables. Multivariable linear regression modeled serum BC concentrations (ln transformed) on body fat percentage adjusted for reported BC intake, age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results: Mean and SE ln BC and AF% were 2.49±0.04 μg/dL and 36.88±0.21%.Serum BC concentrations were inversely associated with AF% (r= -0.10, p\u3c0.0001). No significant correlations were present between serum BC and GF% (p\u3c0.06), reported dietary intakes and AF% (p=0.07), or GF% (p=0.16). For adults of the same age and sex, each 1 ug/dL increase in serum BC concentrations, abdominal adiposity decreased by 0.02% (p\u3c0.0001). Conclusions: In representative sample of adult US men and women, serum BC concentrations were associated with lower AF% but not GF%, independent of dietary intake