Fruit and vegetable consumption is inadequate among adults in the United States; this contributes to preventable morbidity and mortality. More effective dietary intervention strategies are needed.

Recently, interventions that advertise the consequences of behavior for appearance have been successful in modifying sun-exposure habits and tobacco use. Such an approach might also facilitate dietary improvement.

Consumption of carotenoid-rich fruit and vegetables positively affects skin color, which influences perceptions-of health and attractiveness,and promoting such an effect may motivate target audiences to increase consumption of this important food group. This approach represents a novel direction for the field and is potentially suitable for cost-effective, population-level dissemination through the visual media. (Am J Public Health. 2012;102:207-211. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300405)