Peer-reviewed article
Predictors of carotenoid status in New Zealand children using carotenoid reflection score: a cross-sectional study.
Jeanette Rapson, Elaine Rush, Rachael McLean, Kava Fuavao, Clare Wall et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study measured carotenoid status (a marker of vegetable and fruit intake) in 75 New Zealand children aged 8-13 years using skin reflection spectroscopy. Over half the children had low carotenoid scores, and only 8% met vegetable intake recommendations. The study found that household income and fruit intake were the main factors predicting children's carotenoid status, suggesting that low-income families may struggle to provide adequate fruits and vegetables.
Key points
- 51% of children had low carotenoid reflection scores (below 250)
- Only 8% of children met vegetable intake recommendations
- Annual household income and daily fruit servings were significant predictors of carotenoid status (R² = 0.17, p < 0.01)
- Younger boys aged under 10 years had significantly higher carotenoid scores than younger girls (mean difference 74 points)
- 24-hour urinary potassium did not correlate with carotenoid reflection score
Limitations
The study is observational and cross-sectional, so it cannot establish cause and effect. The small sample size (75 children) and the fact that only 8% met vegetable recommendations limits the generalisability of findings about what drives adequate nutrition.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Optically-assessed skin carotenoid status offers an objective measure of vegetable and fruit intake. Data from the Sodium and Potassium Intake (SNaK+) study was used to explore asso-ciations of carotenoid reflection scores with body size, annual household income, vegetable and fruit intake and potassium intake, and the relationship between carotenoid reflection score and 24-h urinary potassium in children. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-five children (29 girls, 37 boys; 9 not stated) aged 8 to 13 years from five New Zealand primary schools were supported by the parents/caregivers to complete validated questions about their frequency of vegetable and fruit intake. Carotenoid reflection scores were measured using reflection spectroscopy and 24-h urine samples (n = 69) were collected. Differences by gender and age were tested using two-sample t-tests. Linear regression identified determinants of carotenoid reflection score. RESULTS: Children's overall mean (standard deviation) carotenoid reflection score was 236 (91), with 51% having low scores (< 250). Younger boys (< 10 years) had higher carotenoid reflection scores than younger girls (mean difference (95% confidence interval); 74 (4, 144). Few (8%, n = 6) children met vegetable intake recommendations. Annual household income and fruit servings per day were predictive correlates of carote-noid reflection scores (R2 = 0.17, F(2.52) = 6.10, p <0.01). Twenty-four-hour urinary potassium did not correlate with carotenoid reflection score. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified low household income and low fruit intake as drivers of low carotenoid status in children, emphasizing the need for targeted dietary interventions. A study is required to further explore the relationship between carotenoid reflection score and potassium excretion.