Examining fruit and vegetable intake in low-income older adults using the Veggie Meter®. Issue 1 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fultz, Amanda Kopetsky; Rex, Samantha M.; Mazelin, Audrey; McGarry, Charlotte; Brewer, Ben; Patterson, Freda; Robson, Shannon
• Is Part Of: Nutrition and health. Volume 28:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Fruit and vegetables -- Veggie Meter -- spectroscopy -- older adults -- carotenoids; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1177/02601060211022275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-1060

Abstract

Background: Older adults report low fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. The lack of objective, field-based assessments of FV intake is a limitation when assessing the effectiveness of interventions. Aim: To examine if self-reported FV intake was correlated with Veggie Meter® scores among low-income older adults. The Veggie Meter® is a portable tool that uses pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy to estimate skin carotenoid measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of FV intake, food security, and Veggie Meter® score in low-income older adults was conducted. Bivariate analyses quantified the association between FV intake and Veggie Meter® score. Results: Participants ( n = 154) were mostly female (69.3%), non-white (66.2%) and at risk for food insecurity (65.6%). Mean Veggie Meter® score was 172.3 ± 77.2 and had a small significant positive correlation with FV intake (r= 0.192, p = 0.018). Conclusion: The Veggie Meter® may objectively indicate FV intake. Research to validate the Veggie Meter® in older, diverse populations is needed.