Development and validation of peaters choice, an intervention module for healthcare practitioners in managing picky eating among children aged 3–5 years

Picky eating (PE) during early childhood is a growing concern, often linked to poor dietary intake and increased parental stress. While healthcare professionals (HCPs) are well-positioned to assist, there remains a lack of structured, evidence-based modules to guide PE management in public health settings. This research aim to develop a validated healthy eating intervention module for HCPs in managing picky eaters (PEaters Choice). The module development followed the first three phases of the ADDIE instructional design model: Analysis, Design, and Development. Phase 1 (Analysis) involved a scoping review, a quantitative, and qualitative study, while Phase 2 (Design) focused on designing the module content and aligning activities with relevant theoretical frameworks. In Phase 3 (Development), nine experts evaluated the newly developed module using face and content validity forms. Findings from Phases 1 and 2 informed a multidisciplinary module design, guiding its objectives, content, and delivery based on evidence and stakeholder input. In general, the PEaters Choice module surpassed established benchmarks, achieving high validity scores (> 80%) and S-CVI/Ave (> 0.80). Face validity results also confirmed the module's relevance, clarity of instruction, and alignment with its intended objectives of empowering HCPs to effectively manage pediatric PE in the public health setting. The PEaters Choice module demonstrates strong preliminary validity and offers a structured tool to assist HCPs in managing PE among children. While implementation and impact evaluation remain future steps, the current version provides a foundation for broader application and potential to empower both HCPs and parents.