Local Validation of NutricheQ, a Study in Jordan

 Toddlers are consuming more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foodstuffs in discordance with international dietary guidelines. Limited data are available on the dietary habits of children in Jordan.

 This study aimed primarily at assessing the local validity of the NutricheQ tool in reflecting the nutritional risk status of 12- to 36-month-old toddlers in Jordan.

 This national, multicentre, observational validation study analyzed the data of healthy 12- to 36-month-old toddlers who were identified and prospectively enrolled during a routine clinic visit. After providing written informed consent, the parents or legal guardians of toddlers were asked to (a) complete a food intake diary form (FIDF) over three days (two weekdays and one weekend day); and (b) to answer the NutricheQ questionnaire completed by the physician during a single outpatient visit, as part of the case report form (CRF).

 Out of 213 Jordanian toddlers, 31 (14.6%) were at low nutritional risk; 145 (68.1%) (95% confidential interval (CI): 61.5 - 74.0) were at moderate nutritional risk, and 37 (17.4%) (95% CI: 12.8 - 23.1) were at an increased nutritional risk. The average nutritional intake of the toddlers did not meet the daily intake of the main nutrients recommended across all food categories, with a default daily intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, fiber, and iodine and an excess daily intake of protein and iron. NutricheQ-predicted risk categories significantly correlated with meat intake and the number of weekly servings of fruits and cooked vegetables.

 NutricheQ is a valid tool to predict nutritional risk among toddlers in Jordan.