Toddler Eating Score helps parents and carers ensure children eat healthily
An increasing number of young children are overweight or obese. Children with a chronic condition are at particular risk of this. The Toddler Eating Score has been developed to better support parents and healthcare professionals in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
From international research to implementation in the Netherlands
The HDHL-funded NutriPROGRAM project links international research on metabolism in early childhood with national implementation. The Toddler Diet Quality Index was previously developed as part of this project. As part of a ZonMw Dissemination and Implementation Impulse (VIMP), researchers at Wageningen University & Research integrated this index into the existing Eating score tool. ‘During this implementation project, a version of the Eating score was developed specifically for toddlers,’ explains project lead Desiree Lucassen.
‘The Toddler Eating Score consists of a short questionnaire that assesses the quality of the dietary patterns of 1- to 3-year-olds.’ The tool provides immediate personalised feedback and can be used in research and healthcare settings. Healthcare professionals can use the results in the consultation room and, if necessary, refer patients to a dietitian in good time.
‘The international collaboration within NutriPROGRAM has provided a strong scientific basis and methodological alignment,’ said the project lead. ‘With the help of ZonMw’s VIMP, we were able to translate this knowledge into a practical tool, fully tailored to the Dutch context and the needs of parents and care providers.’
Parents indicate that the results of the Toddler Eating Score accurately reflected their toddler’s eating habits.
Evaluation by parents and care providers
The Toddler Eating Score provides both parents and care providers with insight into toddlers’ diets and offers support with specific nutrition-related queries. For this reason, a comprehensive evaluation of the tool amongst these target groups was a key part of the project.
‘An evaluation among parents showed that the Toddler Eating Score was clear and user-friendly,’ says the project lead. ‘Parents also indicated that the results of the Toddler Eating Score accurately reflected their toddler’s eating habits.’
Healthcare professionals have also responded positively to the tool. ‘An evaluation among healthcare professionals showed that the Toddler Eating Score was found to be well-organised, practical and clear.’
At the same time, the evaluations provided concrete starting points for further improvement. For example, the advice now includes more recognisable products that toddlers often eat, such as raisins, breadsticks and toddler biscuits. Greater attention has also been paid to practical advice on behavioural change, such as how parents can encourage their toddler to eat more vegetables. ‘The advice can be optimised by simplifying the text, providing more toddler-specific examples and adding a visual representation.’
Towards wider implementation
The Toddler Eating Score is currently being further optimised on the basis of the evaluations carried out as part of the project. At the same time, the follow-up project ‘Eet Wijzer in the Care Sector – Optimisation and Implementation of the Eating Score’, also funded by ZonMw, is underway.
This follow-up project is working on a technical update of the Eating Score and on its implementation in hospitals. ‘The aim is to have rolled out the Eating Score across several patient groups in 3 hospitals by the end of the Eet Wijzer project, after which it will be extended to all suitable patient groups.’
In the longer term, the ambition is to make the tool available outside hospitals as well. ‘Ultimately, the aim is to make the Toddler Eating Score available through child health clinics and GPs, thereby giving parents access via these channels.’