Perception of #TheDress in childhood is influenced by age and green-leaf preference

The perception of the ambiguous image of #TheDress may be influenced by optical factors, such as macular pigments. Their accumulation during childhood could increase with age and the ingestion of carotenoid-containing foods. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the visual perception of the dress in children would differ based on age and carotenoid preference. This was a cross-sectional, observational, and comparative study. A poll was administered to children aged 2 to 10 years. Parents were instructed to inquire about the color of #TheDress from their children. A carotenoid preference survey was also completed. A total of 413 poll responses were analyzed. Responses were categorized based on the perceived color of the dress: blue/black (BB) (n = 204) and white/gold (WG) (n = 209). The mean and median age of the WG group was higher than the BB group (mean 6.1, median 6.0 years, standard deviation [SD] 2.2; mean 5.5, median 5.0 years, SD 2.3; p = 0.007). Spearman correlation between age and group was 0.133 (p = 0.007). Green-leaf preference (GLP) showed a statistically significant difference between groups (Mann-Whitney U: p = 0.038). Spearman correlation between GLP and group was 0.102 (p = 0.037). Logistic regression for the perception of the dress as WG indicated that age and GLP were significant predictors (age: B weight 0.109, p = 0.012, odds ratio: 1.115; GLP: B weight 0.317, p = 0.033, odds ratio: 1.373). Older children and those with a higher GLP were more likely to perceive #TheDress as WG. These results suggest a potential relationship with the gradual accumulation of macular pigments throughout a child's lifetime.