Feasibility of skin carotenoids as a biomarker of vegetable intake among Mexican-Origin children in a community setting: A cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract

Background and purpose: Studies in adults and children have demonstrated a strong correlation of skin carotenoids with fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. There are few studies testing the usefulness of this methodology in a community setting. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) skin carotenoid intensity scores in young children to assess F/V intake. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to capture the RRS skin carotenoid intensity scores using the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner. The RRS skin carotenoid intensity score ranges from 0 to 70,000+ with increasing scores indicating a higher carotenoid concentration. Children's dietary intake of F/V was assessed within one-month period using a 26-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and multiple pass 24-hour dietary recalls (24HDRs) administered to the parent of the child. Participants were 51 Mexican-origin children (ages 3-8 years) living in two rural California school districts during July-August 2014. RRS skin carotenoid intensity scores; frequency of fruit and vegetable intake from FFQ; daily servings of fruit and vegetables and carotenoid intake from 24HDR. Spearman correlation was used to determine the correlation between RRS skin carotenoid intensity scores and average 24HDR F/V intake and FFQ F/V intake. Results: The results of the study demonstrate a significant positive correlation between skin carotenoid levels and parent-reported 24HDR vegetable consumption (r = .41, p = .003) but not with 24HDR fruit, FFQ fruit, or FFQ vegetable consumption. Conclusion: The use of skin carotenoid measurements may be more indicative of short-term vegetable consumption than overall fruit and vegetable or fruit-only consumption in this population of Mexican-origin children.

Nutrition Effects of a Family-Centered Health Promotion Program for Mexican-Heritage Children in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

“…The small sample size and large variation in Veggie Meter ® scores likely made it difficult to estimate effect size. To date, though, there has been limited published research on using Veggie Meter ® with Latino children or adults [ 47 , 48 ] and few studies have assessed skin carotenoids among Latino/a children [ 49 , 50 ]. However, based on the authors’ knowledge, there have been no published studies using the Veggie Meter ® with Latino/a children living in border communities and only one study that obtained Veggie Meter ® scans at more than one time point for a subsample of Latino/a children [ 51 ].…”

Influence of pre-schooler and parent nutrition education on carotenoid levels of Mexican-heritage children

“…The resulting measurement is a score ranging from 0 to 70 000 and above. Studies have demonstrated positive correlation between skin carotenoid levels and fruit and vegetable consumption in adults and children (24)(25)(26) . In Mexican-origin children, measurement of skin carotenoids is correlated with dietary intake of vegetables (r = 0•41, P = 0•03, n 51) (25) .…”

“…Studies have demonstrated positive correlation between skin carotenoid levels and fruit and vegetable consumption in adults and children (24)(25)(26) . In Mexican-origin children, measurement of skin carotenoids is correlated with dietary intake of vegetables (r = 0•41, P = 0•03, n 51) (25) . Also, changes in skin carotenoids closely follow plasma carotenoid changes, as shown in a controlled feeding trial providing a broad range of carotenoid intakes (26) .…”