Preliminary Validation of a Complementary Food Frequency Questionnaire for Canadian Infants under One Year of Age
Abstract
This study evaluated the validity and reproducibility of a Complementary Food Frequency Questionnaire (CFFQ) developed specifically for Canadian infants under one year of age, with the aim to assess the diverse nutrient intake of Canada's multicultural infants. Despite recruitment challenges, the study involved 15 parent-child pairs, with infants averaging 8.2 months old, and 60% of caregivers identifying as Latin American. Over a three-week period, participants completed two administrations of the CFFQ, and a 4-day weighed food record to assess dietary intake. Validity and reproducibility were measured over six statistical tests to assess agreement. Results showed poor validity for 89% of 18 nutrients. While total energy, protein, and fat displayed good reliability, inconsistencies were noted in cross-classification and Bland Altman measures. The CFFQ overestimates nutrient intake among Canadian infants and is not a valid dietary assessment tool. Nevertheless, this research provides preliminary insights for infant nutrition assessment practices in future studies.