(P01-007-25) Circulating Carotenoid Status Is Associated With Reduced Adiposity and Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnant Adults From Houston, TX

Objectives: Adiposity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy are linked to both short- and long-term implications that predispose an infant to later obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Carotenoids beneficially impact adipogenesis and metabolic health in adults, yet their role in the prenatal period are poorly understood. The purpose of this ancillary study was to determine if blood carotenoid concentrations are inversely associated with adiposity and gestational weight gain (GWG) in healthy pregnant adults.

Methods: Serum carotenoids concentrations (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) were measured by HPLC in healthy pregnant adults (n=17) from Houston, TX during each trimester (T) of pregnancy. Adiposity was also assessed using BODPOD. GWG was estimated as body weight in T3 (ave. gestational age (GA): 33.2±1.3 wks) minus body weight in T1 (ave. GA: 11.4±1.2 wks). Repeated measures ANOVA and bivariate correlations were used to examine changes and relationships among variables.

Results: Body weight and fat mass significantly increased across pregnancy (p < 0.001, both). Serum β-carotene and α-carotene were inversely associated with % adiposity in T3 (r=-0.561, p=0.024; r=-0.502, p=0.048, respectively). Serum β-carotene and total carotenoids were inversely associated with fat mass in T3 (r=-0.544, p=0.029; r=-0.510, p=0.044, respectively). Changes in serum β-carotene from T1 to T3 were inversely associated with GWG (r=-0.535, p=0.040), and changes in total carotenoids were inversely associated with GWG (r=-0.514, p=0.050). Other carotenoids were weakly inversely associated with body composition and weight gain outcomes across pregnancy.

Conclusions: Results from this pilot study suggest that plasma carotenoid concentrations may be associated with reduced adiposity and weight gain during pregnancy. Acknowledging that 50% of Americans enter pregnancy while overweight or obese, further experimental research investigating the impact of carotenoids on cardiometabolic outcomes in pregnancy is warranted.

Funding Sources: USDA/ARS 3092-51000-059-02S