Abstract
The current study examines associations between the dietary intakes of nutrient-dense foods, measured using brief indices and skin coloration, measured using reflectance spectroscopy in young adults. This is a cross-sectional analysis of 148 young Australian males and females (55% female) aged 18 to 25 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, with responses used to calculate two dietary indices: (i) the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS); and (ii) the Fruit And Vegetable VAriety Score (FAVVA). Skin yellowness was measured at three body locations using reflectance spectroscopy. Associations were assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients, regression analysis, and agreement using weighted kappa (Kw). Significant, moderate correlations were found between skin yellowness and diet index scores for the ARFS (ρ = 0.30, p < 0.001) and FAVVA score (ρ = 0.39, p < 0.001). These remained significant after adjustment for confounders (total fat intake, sex, skin lightness) and for agreement based on categorical rankings. Results suggest that measurement of skin coloration by reflectance spectroscopy can be used as an indicator of overall dietary quality and variety in young adults. Further exploration in diverse populations is required.
Highlights
Carotenoids are fat-soluble, yellow, orange, and red pigments found primarily in fruit and vegetables [1]
The findings from this study suggested that reflectance spectroscopy can be utilized as a quick non-invasive method for measuring dietary carotenoid intake and/or identifying low fruit and vegetable intake [13]
Results indicate that in young adults aged 18 to 25 years, a higher diet quality score and a high fruit and vegetable variety scores, as assessed using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) and the Fruit And Vegetable VAriety Score (FAVVA) indices, was related to higher skin yellowness (b*). This was demonstrated through statistically significant positive correlations between dietary index scores and skin yellowness (b*), and by agreement (Kappa) across quantiles, which remained significant in linear regression analyses adjusted for sex, total fat intake (g/day), and skin lightness (L*)
Summary
Carotenoids are fat-soluble, yellow, orange, and red pigments found primarily in fruit and vegetables [1]. Carotenoids accumulate in all layers of the skin, where they serve a protective role through neutralizing free radicals via the protective antioxidant chain in tissues [2]. Dietary sources of carotenoids are absorbed via the intestinal epithelial cells and enter the blood stream to be delivered to target tissues and organs, including all layers of human skin in particular the stratum corneum [3,4]. Carotenoids can be assayed using biochemical methods in blood samples or by non-invasive optical methods in human skin, such as reflectance spectroscopy or resonance raman spectroscopy to quantify the carotenoids present [5]. Both of these methods have been validated against
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