O2075: Usability and Acceptability of a Digital Tool for Promoting Healthy Infant Feeding and Lifestyle Behaviours: A Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate worldwide, contributing to a range of metabolic comorbidities and significantly increasing lifelong health risks such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and reduced quality of life. Evidence suggests that early interventions targeting feeding and lifestyle behaviours in infancy are critical for long-term prevention and the promotion of healthy growth trajectories. In response to this need, the Feeding, Lifestyle, and Growth (FLAGs) digital tool was developed to support parents in shaping healthier habits during the first years of life. The tool aims to empower caregivers with structured guidance and resources related to infant nutrition, physical activity, and overall lifestyle choices. This study aimed to assess the usability and acceptability of FLAGs among parents of infants.

Methods: We conducted a two-part, mixed-methods pilot study to evaluate the tool. Usability was assessed using the validated System Usability Scale (SUS), which provides a quantitative measure of user-friendliness. Acceptability was explored through thematic analysis of open-ended questionnaires that invited parents to share their perspectives on satisfaction, relevance to their parenting needs, and the overall user experience.

Results: A total of 25 parents participated in the study. The FLAGs tool achieved a mean SUS score of 71.3, exceeding the benchmark score of 68 for acceptable usability in digital health applications. Qualitative findings revealed that parents valued the app for i) assisting them in tracking daily infant care activities, ii) improving their understanding of nutritional guidelines, and iii) increasing their confidence in managing their child’s nutrition. However, participants also reported some technical challenges, including difficulties with the user interface, complexity of the tracking feature, and content that lacked specificity to their individual needs.

Conclusion: The FLAGs digital tool demonstrates strong usability and acceptability among parents. With targeted improvements, it holds significant potential to promote healthier eating and lifestyle habits in early childhood and contribute to long-term obesity prevention efforts.