Methodology insights and population characteristics of the Nutri-Bébé 2022 study: study design, sample description, and data collection

Background/objectives Regular assessment of dietary patterns and nutrient intake during early life is essential for establishing appropriate recommendations to promote healthy eating behaviors in children. The objective of the Nutri-Bébé 2022 study was to update these data in a nationally representative sample of infants and young children (0–3 years) living in mainland France, and to investigate potential associations between socio-economic factors and feeding practices. This article describes the study methodology and the population sample. Methods This observational cross-sectional study selected a random sample using the quota sampling method. After recruitment and informed consent, parents participated in an initial face-to-face interview. In the following days they completed an online food consumption questionnaire over three non-consecutive days, including a weekend day, followed by a questionnaire on eating behavior. To ensure representativeness the sample was calibrated and weighted. The total sample comprised 1,224 children divided into 11 age groups: an initial sample of 880 parent–child dyads plus an oversampling of some child subgroups to assess their nutritional intakes. Results Detailed characteristics of parents, households and children, including anthropometric data and socio-economic status are described. Among mothers, 5% were under 25 years of age and 39.7% were over 34 years of age, 85.6% were living as a couple and 52.1% had a non-tertiary level of education. Of the included children, 50.1% were boys, 59.4% had siblings and 160 were breastfed. Breastfeeding prevalence was 35.2% up to 3 months, 13.7% at 6 months and 10.4% at one year. In the total sample, 947 children consumed complementary foods, with a mean age of introduction of 5.46 ± 2.04 months. Conclusion The data obtained from a representative sample using a valid methodology should allow for future detailed analysis of dietary patterns and macro- and micronutrient intake. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05649527.