Date of Award

5-2013

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology and Health Science

Committee Chair(s)

Julie Gast

Committee

Julie Gast

Committee

Heidi J. Wengreen

Committee

Richard Gordin

Abstract

Background: Adult studies have found a strong correlation between serum carotenoids and skin carotenoids measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS). No published studies have examined correlations between skin and serum carotenoids among children.

Objectives: (1) To validate skin RRS methodology against serum carotenoid measurements by high-performance liquid chromatography and (2) to determine if RRS skin carotenoids can be used as a valid biomarker of total fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among children.

Design: Participants were 45 healthy children age 5-17 who provided 3 blood samples used to assess serum carotenoid concentrations and 3 RRS skin measurements (using a Biophotonic ScannerTM) within a 4 week period. Dietary intake of FV was assessed 3 times within 4 weeks using a 27 item food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the ASA24TM-Kids, an automated multiple-pass 24-hour recall (24HDR). Estimates of intake from three FFQ, completed at least 7 days apart, were averaged. Estimates of intake from 24HDR were collected on 2 weekdays and a weekend day and averaged.

Results: Levels of skin and serum carotenoids were highly correlated (R2=.63, p

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