Does the FIT Game Healthy Eating Program Increase Children’s Skin Carotenoid Concentrations?

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of this research was to assess associations between skin carotenoid concentrations and participation in the FIT Game Healthy Eating Program, a school-wide program aimed at increasing vegetable intake among children. Methods Randomized-control trial in which two schools played the FIT Game and two schools received no intervention. Skin carotenoids were measured using a Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner at baseline, during the last 3 days of the 8-week intervention, and 3 months following the end of the intervention. Results 1455 students participated in the FIT Game program and 722 (50%) had their skin carotenoids measured. The mean skin carotenoid score at baseline was 29,014 Raman counts (SD 8892) and there were no pre-intervention statistically significant differences across condition (Fit Game vs. Control) or school. A linear regression model controlling for child's BMI, exposure to smoking, and supplement use predicted baseline skin carotenoid concentration to increase by 48 Raman counts per gram of observed vegetable intake at lunch. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to assess differences in children's carotenoid concentrations by condition. Children in the intervention schools had 10%, and 9% higher carotenoid scores than did children in the control schools at the end of the intervention, and 3 months following the end of the intervention, respectfully (P-values < 0.001 for both). The effect of the intervention on differences in skin carotenoid concentrations over time was significant (F(2570) = 15.616; P < 0.001) and explained ∼5% of the variance in children's skin carotenoid concentrations. Conclusions A school wide-intervention known as the FIT Game Healthy Eating Program produced increases in children's skin carotenoid concentrations, a biomarker of carotenoid containing vegetable intake. Funding Sources This research was supported by a grant (R21 HD083702) from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development.