Outcome measurement instruments used to measure diet-related outcomes in infancy: A scoping review

Matvienko-Sikar, Karen; Duffy, Moira; Looney, Eibhlín; Anokye, Reindolf; Birken, Catherine S.; Brown, Vicki; Dahly, Darren; Doherty, Ann S.; Dutch, Dimity; Golley, Rebecca; Johnson, Brittany J.; Leahy-Warren, Patricia; McBride, Marian; McCarthy, Elizabeth; Murphy, Andrew W.; Redsell, Sarah; Terwee, Caroline B.

Abstract

Introduction: Supporting positive diet behaviours during infancy is essential to support child health and prevent childhood obesity. How infant diet-related outcomes are measured in trials is crucial to determining intervention effectiveness. This scoping review examined what and how outcome measurement instruments are currently used to measure 13 infant diet-related outcomes from a previously developed core outcome set. Methods: The databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched from inception to September 2023. Eligible studies reported trials that included infants ≤1 year old and at least one diet-related outcome measurement instrument. Titles/abstracts and full texts were independently screened in duplicate. Data were narratively synthesised. Results: 136 studies reporting 133 trials were included. Outcome measurement instruments used included 66 questionnaires (n = 70 studies), 65 individual questions (n = 45 studies), 24 food diaries/records (n = 21 studies), 11 24-hour dietary recall (n = 11 studies), and healthcare record data (n = 6 studies). Outcome measurement instruments were predominantly self-administered by researchers in participants homes. There was a lack of reporting for some outcome measurements used. Conclusion: Review findings highlight the need to improve clarity and completeness of outcome reporting. The findings also provide an important first step to address heterogeneity in measurement of infant diet-related outcomes. Consistent measurement of diet-related outcomes is needed to improve synthesis and evaluation of obesity prevention interventions.

Citation

Matvienko-Sikar, K., Duffy, M., Looney, E., Anokye, R., Birken, C. S., Brown, V., Dahly, D., Doherty, A. S., Dutch, D., Golley, R., Johnson, B. J., Leahy-Warren, P., McBride, M., McCarthy, E., Murphy, A. W., Redsell, S., & Terwee, C. B. (2025). Outcome measurement instruments used to measure diet-related outcomes in infancy: A scoping review. Appetite, 210, Article 107980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.107980

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Mar 24, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 7, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 7, 2025
• Journal: Appetite
• Print ISSN: 0195-6663
• Electronic ISSN: 1095-8304
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 210
• Article Number: 107980
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.107980
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/47546752