Fruit and vegetable intake: vitamin C and beta-carotene intake and serum concentrations in six-year-old children and their parents

Abstract

Background: Intake of fruit and vegetables, which are important sources of antioxidant nutrients, has frequently been inversely related to the risk of chronic diseases. Objective: To investigate the serum concentration of vitamin C and β-carotene in relation to fruit and vegetable intake in 6-year-old children and their parents. Design: An observational study on families of healthy 6-year-old children in the Greater Reykjavik area. Serum vitamin C and β-carotene were analysed. Fruit and vegetable intake of children and their parents was assessed by 3 day weighed food records and by a food frequency questionnaire. Results: A positive correlation was seen in serum vitamin C concentration (r=0.454-0.570, p