Repeatability of maternal report on prenatal, perinatal and early postnatal factors: findings from the IDEFICS parental questionnaire

Int J Obes (Lond). 2011 Apr:35 Suppl 1:S52-60. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2011.35.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the repeatability of maternal self-reported prenatal, perinatal and early postnatal factors within the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) study.

Design: Data are from the baseline survey of the longitudinal cohort study IDEFICS in eight European countries.

Subjects: A total of 420 parents from eight countries (43-61 per country) were asked to complete the parental questionnaire (PQ) twice at least 1 month apart.

Measurements: The PQ assesses prenatal (maternal weight gain), perinatal (child's birth weight and length, Caesarean (C)-section, week of delivery) and early postnatal factors (exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding, introduction of solid food). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to compare maternal reports on prenatal, perinatal and early postnatal factors between the first and second PQ.

Results: In total, 249 data sets were considered for the analyses. Overall, maternal reports for prenatal and perinatal factors showed higher repeatability (ICC=0.81-1.00, P≤0.05 for all) than those for early infant nutrition (ICC=0.33-0.88, P≤0.05 for all). Perfect agreement was found for parental reports on C-section (ICC(all)=1.00, P≤0.05). There was stronger agreement for duration of breastfeeding (ICC=0.71, P≤0.05) compared with exclusive breastfeeding (ICC=0.33, P≤0.05). Maternal reports showed moderate correlation for the introduction of several types of food (cereals ICC=0.64, P≤0.05; fruits ICC=0.70, P≤0.05; meat ICC=0.83, P≤0.05; vegetables ICC=0.75, P≤0.05), and high correlation (ICC=0.88, P≤0.05) for cow's milk.

Conclusion: Maternal reports on pregnancy and birth were highly reproducible, but parental recall of early infant nutrition was weaker and should be interpreted more cautiously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data
  • Cohort Studies
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Health Surveys / methods
  • Health Surveys / standards*
  • Humans
  • Mothers
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care / standards*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Weight Gain