Researchers develop Diet Score for toddlers

Healthy nutrition at an early age is receiving increasing attention. At the same time, the number of young children with overweight or obesity is rising. Children with a chronic condition are particularly at risk. That is why the Toddler Diet Score was developed. The tool helps parents and healthcare professionals gain a clearer picture of toddlers’ dietary habits.

Questionnaire for children aged one to three

The Toddler Diet Score was developed as part of the international NutriPROGRAM project. The project focuses on research into metabolism during the first years of life. Earlier, the Toddler Diet Quality Index was developed for this purpose.

Researchers at Wageningen University & Research incorporated this index into the existing Diet Score. With support from a Dissemination and Implementation Impulse (VIMP) grant from ZonMw, a version for toddlers was subsequently created. “During this implementation project, a version of the Diet Score was developed specifically for toddlers,” says project leader Desiree Lucassen.

The tool consists of a short questionnaire. It assesses the quality of the dietary pattern of children between one and three years of age. Users receive immediate personalised advice. The tool can be used in both research and healthcare settings. Healthcare professionals can use the results during consultations and, if necessary, refer patients to a dietitian.

Positive feedback

Parents and healthcare professionals evaluated the Toddler Diet Score. According to Lucassen, parents found the tool clear and easy to use. “Parents also indicated that the results of the Toddler Diet Score accurately reflected their toddler’s dietary pattern.”

Healthcare professionals were also positive. They described the tool as well-structured, practical and clear. The evaluations also identified areas for improvement. For example, more familiar products were added to the advice, including raisins, breadsticks and toddler biscuits. More attention was also given to practical behaviour-change tips. One example is encouraging toddlers to eat more vegetables.

Next step in hospitals

The Toddler Diet Score is being further improved based on the evaluations. The follow-up project, Eat Wiser in Healthcare – Optimization and Implementation of the Diet Score, is also underway. Within this project, work is being carried out on a technical update of the Diet Score and its introduction in hospitals. “The goal is to have the Diet Score rolled out across multiple patient groups in three hospitals by the end of the Eat Wiser project, after which it will be expanded to all suitable patient groups.”

In the longer term, the aim is for the Toddler Diet Score to become available through child health clinics and general practitioners. This will give parents access to the tool through those channels.

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