Application and Adaptation of a Tool for Measuring Skin Carotenoids in Community-Based Settings: A Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Nutrition
• Dietary Assessment Methods
• Biochemical Markers

Background:

• Evaluating nutrition interventions to increase fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) is crucial.
• Self-reported dietary data has limitations; skin carotenoid measurements offer an alternative FVI assessment.
• The Veggie Meter is a tool for measuring skin carotenoids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the application and adaptation of the Veggie Meter in community-based settings.
• To explore how this tool measures FVI within diverse public health contexts.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods convergent parallel design.
• Quantitative data collected via online surveys (n=14).
• Qualitative semi-structured interviews with experienced Veggie Meter users (n=10).

Main Results:

• Three themes emerged: balancing protocol adherence with adaptation, implementation and operation in community settings, and strategies for participant engagement.
• Adaptation of standard protocols was necessary for varied community environments and participant needs.
• The Veggie Meter can be effectively utilized in community-based research with appropriate modifications.

Conclusions:

• Adapting the Veggie Meter's standard protocols is essential for successful data collection in diverse community settings.
• This adaptation ensures the tool meets the specific needs of environments, communities, and participants in public health nutrition intervention evaluations.
• The Veggie Meter shows promise as a feasible measure of FVI in community-based research when protocols are contextually adjusted.