Hi, Firstly I apologise for intruding I am from Nov 2011 group and I am looking for parents of first or only children aged between 1 and 4 to take part in my weaning methods research for my masters degree. The research is a questionnaire which will take around 15-20mins and you will require your child's personal health record or 'red book' with you when completing it. The link to the questionnaire is weaning questionnaire in September the findings of the research will be published here //www.babyledweaningresearch.eu if you would like more information regarding the study please read the below participant information sheet or email me [email protected], please also feel free to share with anyone you believe may be interested.
Participant Information Sheet
You are being invited to take part in a research study that seeks to investigate whether different weaning methods have an impact on food preferences and/or health related outcomes. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.
Introduction
This is a student dissertation study being taken as part of my MSc in Applied Human Nutrition at Oxford Brookes University. My name is Hannah Boardman. I am doing some research into the impact that different weaning methods may have on children. In my research I would like you to answer several questions on your selection of weaning method for your child, plus some data from your personal child health record (red book) regarding your child?s weight at birth, at commencement of weaning and at 1 year, 18 months and 24 months. I would also like you to complete a food frequency questionnaire to highlight your child?s food preferences currently. After you have heard more about the study, and if you agree to participate, then please complete the questionnaire. You do not have to decide today whether to participate in the research. You can talk to anyone you feel comfortable with about the study.
There may be some words or terms that you do not understand. Please ask me to go through any of these and I will explain them. If you have questions later, you can ask me or my supervisor at Oxford Brookes University Dr. Simon Wheeler ([email protected])
What is the purpose of the study?
Baby led weaning is a relatively new concept or way of introducing solid food to infants during the weaning period. As it is a relatively new concept there is very little research into the effect that it may have upon children. This study aims to compare the baby led weaning approach with the traditional approach of using purees or manufactured baby food in terms of the foods that a child prefers and their weight gain over the weaning period. I am hoping that this study will help to provide more information on the baby led weaning approach so that there is more information out there enabling parents to make informed decisions.
Why have I been invited
I want to obtain information from parents who had recently been through the process of weaning with their children, and who still had access to their personal child health record (red book).
Do I have to take part in the study?
You do not have to agree to participate in the study. Decisions to participate in research when it is using information about your child can be difficult. You can ask as many questions as you like and I will take the time to answer them. You have the right to discontinue participating in the research at any point without giving reason.
Procedure
Questionnaires can be completed via the survey monkey link here www.surveymonkey.com/s/BLW. The first part of the questionnaire will ask some basic information about you and your family, the next part will ask for information about your child and also information that can be found in your personal child health record (red book) regarding your child?s weight at certain points in time. The final section will ask you to complete a record of what foods your child enjoys having and how often they have them. I will be able to collect the information directly from the host provider, no-one else will be able to access the information. The information from your will be used to create my final dissertation for my MSc.
Example questions:
- Section 1:
Date of birth?
Weight?
Height?
- Section 2:
Child?s weight at birth?
Age that weaning was started?
Child?s weight at 12 months?
- Section 3:
In an average week how many times does your child eat bread?
In an average week how many times does your child eat banana?
In an average week how many times does your child eat chicken?
Duration
Hopefully the completion of the questionnaire should take no longer than 15 minutes of your time. It is advisable to have your child?s personal health record also known as ?the red book? to hand when completing the questionnaire.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There will be no immediate and direct benefit to you or your child for participation in this study, but your participation is likely to help us find out more information about the effects of different weaning methods on health outcomes and food preferences. I hope that this may help provide more information on different weaning methods to help support the choices of parents in the future.
Confidentiality:
I will not be sharing the information that you have provided with anyone other than my supervisor. The information that I collect from this project will be kept confidential. Information provided by yourself not have your name recorded on it.
Sharing of Research Findings
At the end of the study, I will be sharing what I have learnt with interested parties. Results will be accessible online at www.babyledweaningresearch.eu. Results may also be published so that other interested people may learn from this research.
Who to Contact
If you have any questions you may ask them now or later, even after completion of the questionnaire. If you wish to ask questions you may contact any of the following;
Hannah Boardman
Principle Investigator
[email protected]
07585008390
Dr. Simon Wheeler
Supervisor
[email protected]
If the questionnaire highlights any concerns or issues regarding your child?s development then you should contact your GP or Health Visitor.
Ethical Approval and funding
This study has been approved by the Oxford Brookes University Departmental Research Ethics Officer on behalf of the Faculty Ethics Committee. If you have any concerns about how this study has been conducted you can contact Dr Dido Green, Departmental Research Ethics Officer on [email protected]
Thank you for your help.