Association of veggie meter-assessed skin carotenoids and dietary intake among indigenous families: The indigenous supported agriculture “go healthy” study

Authors: SISSON, SUSAN - University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; KASAHARA, EMMA - University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Casperson, Shanon; JILCOTT PITTS, STEPHANIE - East Carolina University; REESE, JESSICA - University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; ZHANG, YING - University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; TANIGUCHI, TORI - Oklahoma State University; CLYMA, KAYLEE - Oklahoma State University; HAYMAN, JANN - Osage Nation; BLUE BIRD JERNIGAN, VALARIE - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Current Developments in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2025
Publication Date: 8/5/2025
Citation: Sisson, S., Kasahara, E., Casperson, S.L., Jilcott Pitts, S., Reese, J., Zhang, Y., Taniguchi, T., Clyma, K.R., Hayman, J., Blue Bird Jernigan, V. 2025. Association of veggie meter-assessed skin carotenoids and dietary intake among indigenous families: The indigenous supported agriculture “go healthy” study. Current Developments in Nutrition. 9. Article 107521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107521.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107521

Interpretive Summary: About 70% of couples eating the same types and amounts of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, children’s intakes correlate with parental modeling and intake. Thus, one way to increase fruit and vegetable intake among children and adolescents is to intervene at the family level. We sought to determine how providing fruit and vegetables influenced consumption in all household family members. Families from the Osage Nation were recruited and provided with a basket of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a non-invasive, portable device that measures the amount of carotenoids in the skin. Carotenoids are what gives fruits and vegetables their bight colors. We found significant associations of skin carotenoid levels between adults living in the same household as well as between children under 10 years of age and the adults in the household. However, there was no association of skin carotenoid levels between adults and children 10 years and older in the same household. These results suggests that younger children’s fruit and vegetable intake may be more heavily influenced by families than older children, who often seek to have more autonomous food choices. These findings provide valuable information that can be used to target interventions aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable intake in children and adolescents.

Technical Abstract: Background: Indigenous communities have seldom been included in previous research on skin carotenoid scores (SCS) and diet. Further, little is known about familial SCS. Objective: Assess association of SCS of adults and children in Osage Nation with body mass index (BMI), dietary intake, and determine SCS familial relationship. Methods: SCS were measured using a Veggie Meter®. Adults completed a single 24-hour diet recall to calculate the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI). Linear mixed modeling was used to examine associations, while accounting for family correlation. Multivariable association of SCS with diet, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, tobacco use, season. Spearman correlation determined SCS familial association. Results: Adults (n=445) were 61% female, 93% were overweight/obese, HEI=42.7±11.2, SCS=211.8±57.9. Children (n=135, 3-17 years) were 55.6% female, 45.2% were overweight/obese, SCS=207.8±62.0. In adults, SCS was higher in males vs. females (226.0±61.0 vs. 203.6±55.1, p<0.001). Children <10 years had a higher SCS vs. =10 years (221.4±65.8 vs. 194.2±55.5, p=0.017). Children with obesity (178.4±44.0) had significantly lower SCS than other weight classifications (p=0.023). HEI was significantly associated with SCS (ß=0.50 95% Confidence Interval (0.01, 0.99)). Household adult SCS was significantly correlated (rs=0.26, p=0.005). Children <10 years SCS was significantly associated with adult SCS (rs=0.34, p=0.037). No correlation was observed between children =10 years and adult SCS. Conclusion: Adult males, younger (<10 years) children, and non-obese children had higher SCS scores. A healthier overall diet, as measured by HEI was associated with higher SCS in adults, while controlling for covariates. Within families, SCS between adults were correlated indicating similar dietary intake of fruit and vegetables. SCS of younger children (<10 years) were associated with adults SCS; however, SCS of older children (=10 years) was not. This suggests that younger children’s fruit and vegetable intake may be more heavily influenced by families than older children, who often have more autonomous food choices.