Carotenoids are a category of health-promoting phytonutrients that are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables and have been used as a biomarker to approximate dietary fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. Carotenoids are consumed, metabolized, and deposited in blood, skin, and other tissues. Emerging evidence suggests spectroscopy-based skin carotenoid measurement is a noninvasive method to approximate F/V intake. Spectroscopy-based skin carotenoid measurement overcomes bias and error inherent in self-reported dietary recall methods, and the challenges in obtaining, storing, and processing invasive blood samples. The objective of this systematic review was to examine criterion-related validity of spectroscopy-based skin carotenoid measurement as a proxy for F/V intake. The 3 methods examined were resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS), pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (RS), and spectrophotometers. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was performed in December 2018, yielding 7931 citations. Studies that examined associations between spectroscopy, blood carotenoids, and/or dietary intake were identified and reviewed independently by ≥2 reviewers to determine eligibility for inclusion. Twenty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria and all 29 studies found significant correlations or associations between spectroscopy-based skin carotenoids and plasma or serum carotenoids and/or dietary F/V intake. A majority of the studies evaluated carotenoid concentration in adults; however, 4 studies were conducted in infants and 6 studies evaluated children. Twenty studies specified the racial/ethnic groups from which the samples were drawn, with 6 including ≥20% of the sample from a minority, nonwhite population. The findings of this systematic review support the use of spectroscopy for estimating F/V intake in diverse human populations, although additional validation is needed, particularly among racially/ethnically diverse populations and populations of varying ages.
Carotenoids are a class of phytochemical compounds found in a variety of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and therefore, are commonly used as a biomarker for F/V intake. The Veggie Meter® is a non-invasive research-grade instrument that detects and quantifies carotenoids in the skin. To determine current practices and examine variability among users, a survey was administered to researchers using the device (n = 19, response rate = 35.8%) and variation in anatomical site preparation, calibration, number of measurements, measurement site, and documentation was observed. A protocol was developed in partnership with Veggie Meter® users to outline the preparation, calibration, and data collection procedures for using this device for research purposes. While many protocol conditions will benefit from additional validation, this standardized protocol supports the development of a universal data repository to establish usual observed ranges, with the ultimate goal of examining associations between skin carotenoid scores and diet-related health outcomes.
Adolescent obesity and poor diet quality are increasingly prevalent and could be mitigated with attainment of food literacy. However, as these programs for adolescents are lacking, the purpose of this project was to develop a food literacy curriculum for high school-aged adolescents. The curriculum was designed in accordance with food literacy attributes and components utilizing Backward Design, Social Cognitive Theory, and Constructivism. After expert committee review, pilot testing was completed in two low-income communities by a trained facilitator and observer. Detailed observations were collected during pilot testing to assess achievement of learning objectives. Modifications were made to lesson procedures as required. The resulting curriculum, Teens CAN: Comprehensive Food Literacy in Cooking, Agriculture, and Nutrition, contains 12 modules of experiential lessons and application activities within three topics. Agriculture lessons concentrate on the food supply chain and food environments; nutrition lessons include food groups while focusing on nutrients of concern for underconsumption; and cooking lessons include food safety, budgeting, and preparation. Teens CAN provides a comprehensive and necessary approach to advancing food literacy in adolescents. Future directions include assessing dietary implications after participating in Teens CAN lessons and employment of an innovative two-tiered cross-age teaching model.
Background and Aim: Collecting accurate dietary information in the research setting is challenging due to the inherent biases, duration, and resource-intensive nature of traditional data collection methods. Diet ID™ is a novel, rapid assessment method that uses an image-based algorithm to identify dietary patterns and estimate nutrient intake. The purpose of this analysis was to explore the criterion validity between Diet ID™ and additional measures of dietary intake. Methods: This prospective cohort study (n = 42) collected dietary information using Diet ID™, the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR), plasma carotenoid concentrations, and the Veggie Meter® to estimate carotenoid levels in the skin. Results: There were significant correlations between Diet ID™ and NDSR for diet quality, calories, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and cholesterol. Vitamin A and carotenoid intake were significantly correlated, with the exception of α-carotene and lycopene. Significant correlations were observed for calcium, folate, iron, sodium, potassium, Vitamins B2, B3, B6, C, and E. Skin carotenoid scores and plasma carotenoids were correlated with carotenoid intake from Diet ID™. Conclusions: Diet ID™ may be a useful tool in nutrition research as a less time-intensive and minimally burdensome dietary data collection method for both participants and researchers.
Objectives To determine whether nutrition knowledge is associated with skin carotenoids, as measured by reflection spectroscopy, a valid and objective assessment of fruit and vegetable intake. Methods A convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate students were recruited through flyers, classroom announcements, and email distribution lists at a large public university in California. Nutrition knowledge was assessed with a validated questionnaire. Skin carotenoids were measured with reflection spectroscopy (RS) using a device known as the Veggie MeterTM. Participants completed the nutrition knowledge questionnaire and height, weight, and RS data were collected by trained researchers at a single time-point. Data were collected as part of a larger, on-going study. Pearson's correlation and ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between nutrition knowledge and skin carotenoids. Results A total of 40 students participated in the study; 72% were female. Nutrition knowledge scores ranged from 13 to 53 with a mean of 37.95 (out of 58 possible), and the mean RS score was 334.0. Skin carotenoids were found to be significantly correlated with nutrition knowledge (r = 0.332; P = 0.036), with 8.7% of variance in RS score explained by nutrition knowledge. Body mass index (BMI) was found to be negatively associated with RS score at P < 0.05; when BMI was incorporated, the proportion of variance in RS score explained by the regression model was 26.9%. Gender was not found to significantly associated with RS score (P = 0.965). Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that nutrition knowledge may be a significant predictor of dietary fruit and vegetable intake when accounting for BMI in university students. Future studies will incorporate additional variables, such as food security status and diet quality to further elaborate on the relationship between nutrition knowledge and behavior. Funding Sources This project was funded by an internal University of California, Davis grant.
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