biostudies-literatureChen LWBritish Heart FoundationMedical Research CouncilNational Research Foundation SingaporeNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)E535https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6472180biostudies-literatureUnknown11(3)Early childhood diet may have lifelong influences on health outcomes, yet development of indices to assess diet quality is scarce in toddlers, especially in Asian countries. We aimed to develop and evaluate a Diet Quality Index (DQI) in a multi-ethnic Asian mother⁻offspring cohort and identify perinatal correlates of early childhood diet. Based primarily on the Singapore dietary guidelines, the DQI includes seven food components: rice, bread and alternatives; fruit; vegetables; meat and alternatives; milk and dairy products; whole grains; and foods high in sugar. The DQI was developed using parental report of Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) data for 18-month-old toddlers (<i>n</i> = 561). The mean ± SD of DQI for the study toddlers was 44.2 ± 8.9 (theoretical range: 0⁻65). A higher DQINutrientsThe Development and Evaluation of a Diet Quality Index for Asian Toddlers and Its Perinatal Correlates: The GUSTO Cohort Study.PMC6472180NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008MC_UU_12011/4MR/J000094/1RG/15/17/31749MC_UP_A620_1017NIHR200286NF-SI-0515-10042MC_U147574226MC_U147574222Pang WWLee YSToh JYLeong LPChen LWFok DChong MFChong YSFung SMLim HXGodfrey KMTan KHYap FfalseThe Development and Evaluation of a Diet Quality Index for Asian Toddlers and Its Perinatal Correlates: The GUSTO Cohort Study.Early childhood diet may have lifelong influences on health outcomes, yet development of indices to assess diet quality is scarce in toddlers, especially in Asian countries. We aimed to develop and evaluate a Diet Quality Index (DQI) in a multi-ethnic Asian mother⁻offspring cohort and identify perinatal correlates of early childhood diet. Based primarily on the Singapore dietary guidelines, the DQI includes seven food components: rice, bread and alternatives; fruit; vegetables; meat and alternatives; milk and dairy products; whole grains; and foods high in sugar. The DQI was developed using parental report of Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) data for 18-month-old toddlers (<i>n</i> = 561). The mean ± SD of DQI for the study toddlers was 44.2 ± 8.9 (theoretical range: 0⁻65). A higher DQI2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Mar2026-04-16T13:11:36.637Z2019-06-06T22:58:00ZS-EPMC64721803083221710.3390/nu11030535