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Age-based norm-reference values for the Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool
Britt F Pados1, Suzanne M Thoyre2, Jinhee Park3
1William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA. britt.pados@bc.edu.
Insights
The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT) now has age-based norms to help pediatric providers differentiate problematic feeding behaviors from typical variations in children aged 6 months to 7 years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Child Development
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Differentiating problematic feeding from typical variations is challenging for pediatric providers.
- The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT) is a validated parent-report measure for children aged 6 months to 7 years.
- Norm-referenced values are needed for accurate PediEAT score interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age-based, norm-referenced values for the PediEAT.
- To provide pediatric providers with tools for better clinical decision-making regarding feeding behaviors.
Main Methods:
- 1110 parents completed the PediEAT for children aged 6 months to 7 years.
- Descriptive statistics were calculated for PediEAT subscale and total scores.
- Data were analyzed across 11 distinct age groups.
Main Results:
- PediEAT total scores generally decreased with age.
- Physiologic Symptoms scores remained steady initially, then declined.
- Problematic Mealtime Behaviors, Selective/Restrictive Eating, and Oral Processing difficulties showed age-related trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Age-based norm-reference values for the PediEAT have been established.
- These norms will aid in score interpretation and clinical decision-making for pediatric feeding issues.
Background And Objectives:
Differentiating problematic feeding from variations of typical behavior is a challenge for pediatric providers. The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool (PediEAT) is a parent-report measure of symptoms of problematic feeding in children 6 months to 7 years old with evidence of reliability and validity. This study aimed to determine age-based, norm-referenced values for the PediEAT.
Methods:
Parents of children between 6 months and 7 years old (n = 1110) completed the PediEAT. Descriptive statistics were calculated for subscale and total scores of the PediEAT within 11 age groups.
Results:
The PediEAT total scores followed a general downward trajectory with increasing age. Physiologic Symptoms were relatively steady from 6 to 15 months, and then rapidly declined in 15-18 month olds and continued to decline thereafter. Problematic Mealtime Behaviors increased from 6 to 9 months to a peak in 24-30 month olds and then declined with increasing age. Selective/Restrictive Eating increased from 6 to 9 months to a peak at 12-15 months and then decreased over time thereafter. Symptoms of difficulty with Oral Processing were highest in 6-9 month olds and decreased with age.
Conclusions:
The PediEAT now has age-based norm-reference values to guide score interpretation and clinical decision-making.
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