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Dietary Patterns (Poster Session)

(P22-055-24) Skin Carotenoid Level Differences Among Gender in Middle School-Aged Children

Monday, July 1, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 330
Disclosure(s):
Lydia Roy, BS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Amelia Sullivan, MS, RDN: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: This research aimed to assess skin carotenoid level differences among genders and ages utilizing the Veggie Meter® (VM) in middle school-aged students.

Methods: The VM is a portable, validated, and non-invasive device utilized to assess skin carotenoid levels with the touch of a finger, allowing researchers to gain insight into participant fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. VM scores range from 0-850, with the average score for the general population being around 250. Middle schoolers’ VM scores were collected at a rural middle school in Maine. Participants were provided a free smoothie taste test during lunch to incentivize students to visit the VM. Students were assigned a non-identifiable ID code, and their VM score was put into an Excel spreadsheet along with their self-reported age and gender (male or female). Independent t-tests compared VM scores between boys and girls. Pearson’s correlation determined the directionality of the relationship between VM score and age. Significance for both tests was set at a p-value < 0.05.

Results: Students (N=54) were on average 9±0.9 years old. A little over half the participants identified as male (54%, n=29) and 46% identified as female (n=25). The average VM score was 202±73, and was normally distributed. Boys demonstrated significantly higher VM scores as compared to girls (228±55 vs. 172±81, t=2.92, p < .006). There was a non-significant correlation between VM score and age (r = 0.26, p <.059).

Conclusions: Findings from this study reveal middle school boys have significantly higher FV intake than middle school girls. These findings align with the literature, indicating middle school girls are more likely to have poor diet quality and suffer from eating disorders. While female students had significantly poorer VM scores, both genders reported scores lower than the general public. Therefore, this research informs future programming in middle schools aimed at improving diet quality.

Funding Sources: USDA-NIFA, Food and Agriculture Service Learning Project 2021-70026-35911