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. 2021 Aug;53(8):712-718.
doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Characterizing Vegetable and Fruit Intake in a Remote Alaska Native Community Using Reflection Spectroscopy and 24-Hour Recalls

Courtney M Hill  1 , Mallie J Paschall  2 , Diane M O'Brien  3 , Andrea Bersamin  4
Affiliations

Characterizing Vegetable and Fruit Intake in a Remote Alaska Native Community Using Reflection Spectroscopy and 24-Hour Recalls

Courtney M Hill et al. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: Characterize vegetable and fruit (VF) intake in a Yup'ik community using self-reported intake and skin carotenoid status (SCS) and evaluate the relationship between SCS and fish intake.

Methods: Self-reported VF intake was measured using the 24-hour recall, SCS was measured by reflection spectroscopy via the Veggie Meter (Longevity Link Corporation), and fish intake was estimated by the nitrogen isotope ratio (NIR) for 80 participants in a remote community in Southwestern Alaska. Bivariate correlations were used to assess the relationship between self-reported VF intake, SCS, and NIR.

Results: Intake of all VF subgroups was low. The SCS was higher for males (262.7 vs 185.3; P = 0.002) and participants consuming more than 1 VF serving (232.5 vs 183.0; P = 0.02). It was not associated with the NIR.

Conclusions and implications: Increasing VF intake is a way to improve diet in Yup'ik communities and the Veggie Meter is a simple and noninvasive tool to facilitate surveillance efforts.

Keywords: Alaska Native; biomarkers; carotenoids; fruit; vegetable.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Distribution of Skin Carotenoid Status Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy (n=80)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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