(P35-06-26) Exploring the Link Between Food Access and Fruit and Vegetable Intakes: Food Security, Not Food Access, Is Related to Skin Carotenoid Content

Objectives: We sought to explore the associations of living in low income and low food access areas (LILAs) of a city and food security with skin carotenoid content, an objective marker of fruit and vegetable intake.

Methods: This project utilized a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based design and skin carotenoid measurements administered at a farmers’ market in a LILA of a small metro. Inclusion criteria were residence in the metro and age ≥ 18 years. The market operated from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each Saturday from June to September in 2024. LILAs were defined using the USDA Food Access Research Atlas with low access set at 0.5 miles for urban areas and 10 miles for rural areas. The questionnaire included demographics, an item assessing where participants lived, the six item USDA Food Security Module, a food frequency questionnaire for carotenoid rich foods, and the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Assessment. Skin carotenoid content was measured using reflective spectroscopy (Veggie Meter®). Participants’ non-dominant ring fingers were cleaned with isopropyl wipes before three consecutive skin carotenoid readings were taken; means were used. The associations between residing in a LILA or food security status with skin carotenoid content were examined with general linear models, using the HC3 method; analyses were adjusted for Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Assessment scores. Statistics are means ± standard error or frequencies.

Results: 126 participants (31.5 ± 1.3 years) completed the questionnaire and had their skin carotenoid content assessed (255.8 ± 7.6 skin carotenoid score). The sample was mostly female (n = 98; 77.8%), white (n = 109; 86.5%), non-Hispanic (n = 118; 93.7%), resided in a LILA (n = 95; 75.4%), and were food secure (n = 88; 69.8%). Food security was positively associated with skin carotenoids (β = 39.2 ± 14.6 skin carotenoid score; p = 0.008), whereas residing in a LILA was not (β = 7.8 ± 19.5 skin carotenoid score; p = 0.689).

Conclusions: Food security was associated with skin carotenoids, indicating higher fruit and vegetable intake among food‑secure participants. In contrast, residing in LILAs was not associated with skin carotenoids. Interventions aiming to improve dietary quality may benefit from targeted strategies that directly enhance household food security.

Funding Sources: University of North Dakota College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines and USDA