A Pediatric Nutrition Web Application for Health Professionals to Prevent Early Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To develop a web application for health professionals to easily evaluate infant diets using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for infants with the goal of providing customized nutrition counseling during well-child visits to ultimately improve diet and weigh gain in infants. Methods The web application was developed using the model of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE). The Analysis stage includes a literature review and online search for available tools to identify the gaps in infant nutrition. The Design stage includes the development of four portals: Infant FFQ, Administrative, Clinician, and Parental. The Developmental stage includes the creation of portals to complete the Infant FFQ, send results to the Administrative, and translate the data into the Clinician and Parental Portals. The Implementation stage includes pilot testing of the web application for feasibility, acceptability, and usability among clinicians and parents. The evaluation includes testing the effects of using the web application on diet and weight gain in infants. Results There are no pediatric nutrition tools available to easily evaluate infant diets. So, in collaboration with the computer science program at Florida International University (FIU), a validated infant FFQ was converted to a web application for parents to complete using a tablet during well-child visits. The results are translated into energy/nutrients and food groups consumed using nutrient/food databases. Then energy/nutrients and food groups consumed below or above the recommended amounts are calculated. This information is shown to health professionals in the Clinician Portal for counseling parents on their infant's diet. The amounts of food and beverages recommended for the infant are shown in the Parental Portal to implement at home. Conclusions The infant FFQ was translated into a web application to be used in the health care system; results are automatically shown to health professionals for appropriate counseling to parents on their infant's diet. This web application could be used to improve infant diet and prevent early childhood obesity. Funding Sources Internal funding at Florida International University.