A two-component pictured-based appetite assessment tool is capable of detecting appetite sensations in younger children: A pilot study

Visual analogue scales (VAS) have commonly been used to assess appetite in children 8 years and older; however, these tools have been considered unreliable for children 7 years old and under. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a picture-based appetite assessment (PBAA) tool for children aged 4-10 years and pilot test it compared to a VAS-based appetite assessment. The study hypothesis was that the PBAA scores would decrease following the consumption of an ad libitum snack compared to the scores in the fasted state in children 4 to 10 years old; furthermore, there would be a good level of agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients .001) and between types of meal (ad libitum vs limited snack) ( P = .015) in all children. A good agreement between the PBAA and VAS scores at 30 and 60 minutes after both types of meal was found (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.75). The PBAA tool was able to detect expected changes in appetite sensations and was in good agreement with the VAS instrument. ? 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Visual analogue scales (VAS) are commonly used for appetite assessment in children 8 years and older, but considered unreliable for children 7 years old and under. This pilot study developed a picture-based appetite assessment (PBAA) tool for children aged 4-10 years and found good agreement with VAS scores, showing the PBAA tool was able to detect expected changes in appetite sensations.