The Associations Between Physical Activity and Skin Carotenoid Levels in a Small Sample of Preschoolers: A Pilot Study

Recent literature proposed an association between physical activity (PA) and carotenoid status due to their overlapping role in mediating oxidative stress. However, this relationship has yet to be explored in young children. This study examined the relationship between objectively measured PA (ActiGraph triaxial accelerometry) and skin carotenoid levels (pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy) in a sample of 3- to 5-years-old. Fourteen children (44 ± 7 months old, 71% male) from a single child care center were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Linear regression modeling indicated more time spent in PA was associated with higher skin carotenoid scores (β = 3.448, <i>p</i> = 0.032). These findings from our pilot study indicate a potential cross-sectional link between physical activity and carotenoid status in young children.