Abstract
Background: Skin carotenoids measured by reflection spectroscopy (RS) score as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake has not been used extensively in USA minority populations, and there are concerns about the impact of skin tone on the validity of skin carotenoid scores as a biomarker of F/V intake. Methods: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between skin carotenoids measured by RS score, plasma carotenoids, dietary carotenoids, and F/V intake in African American/Black college students and explore the effect of skin tone on RS score readings. One hundred African American/Black students at a Historically Black Colleges and Universities institution participated in this study. RS score was assessed by Veggie Meter, plasma carotenoids measured by high performance liquid chromatography, and dietary carotenoids and F/V intake were estimated by a weekly food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Skin tone was matched visually and read using a skin swatch on a scale of 1-15, 1 being the lightest and 15 being the darkest. Correlations between RS scores with total plasma carotenoid concentrations, dietary carotenoids, and F/V intake were examined. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship of skin tone at the fingertip and inner arm, BMI, and %body fat on the correlation between RS and total plasma carotenoid levels. Results: Skin carotenoid levels indicated by RS scores were correlated with total plasma carotenoid concentrations (R= 0.595, p
Highlights
Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who eat more fruits and vegetables (F/V) are better protected against cardiovascular disease [1], cancer [2], age-related degenerative disease [3], obesity [4], and other diseases [5,6]
reflection spectroscopy (RS) score was assessed by Veggie Meter, plasma carotenoids measured by high performance liquid chromatography, and dietary carotenoids and F/V intake were estimated by a weekly food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)
Skin carotenoid levels indicated by RS scores were correlated with total plasma carotenoid concentrations (R= 0.595, p
Summary
Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who eat more fruits and vegetables (F/V) are better protected against cardiovascular disease [1], cancer [2], age-related degenerative disease [3], obesity [4], and other diseases [5,6]. Studies using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire have demonstrated lower F/V intake in low-income African American population in inner-city Baltimore [7]. Working with African American men in Nashville, Tennessee, Griffith et al [8] reported that only 17% of the participants met the healthy eating recommendation of five fruits and vegetables per day, compared to 24.5% of general adult US population [9]. Blood concentrations of carotenoids are correlated with skin carotenoids and non-invasive assessment of skin carotenoids may be used as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake [14,15,16]. Considering the challenges and shortcomings of dietary assessment methods such as dietary recalls, skin carotenoid status can be used to approximate blood carotenoid concentrations and selfreported F/V intake in dietary studies and surveillance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
