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

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.