Associations between food and beverage purchases and skin carotenoids among diverse small food retail store customers.

Objective: To determine if customer purchases at small food stores are associated with healthfulness of the diet as approximated by skin carotenoids.

Design: This is a cross-sectional survey of customers in small food stores regarding demographics and food purchases. Food and beverage purchases were classified as 'healthy' or 'non-healthy' and 'carotenoid' . 'non-carotenoid' using a systematic classification scheme. Fruit and vegetable intake was objectively assessed using a non-invasive device to measure skin carotenoids. Associations between variables of interest were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficients, tests and multiple linear regression analyses.

Setting: Twenty-two small food retail stores in rural ( 7 stores) and urban ( 15) areas of North Carolina.

Participants: Customers of small food stores.

Results: Of study participants ( 1086), 55·1 % were male, 60·0 % were African American/Black and 4·2 % were Hispanic, with a mean age of 43·5 years. Overall, 36 % purchased at least one healthy item, and 7·6 % of participants purchased a carotenoid-containing food/beverage. Healthy foods and beverages purchased included produce, lean meats, 100 % juices, plain popcorn, plain nuts, milk and yogurt. Unhealthy items included non-100 % juices, crackers, chips, candy, cakes and donuts. Purchase of a healthy or carotenoid-containing item was positively associated with skin carotenoid scores ( = 0·002 and 0·006, respectively).

Conclusions: A relatively small proportion of customers purchased any healthy or carotenoid-containing foods and beverages, and those who did purchase healthy options had higher skin carotenoid scores. Future research should confirm these findings in different populations.