Psychometric properties of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire for Infants under 6 months of age in Mexican mothers.

INTRODUCTION early infant feeding practices play a crucial role in shaping long-term dietary behaviors and health outcomes. However, validated instruments to assess these practices in infants under six months are scarce, particularly in low -and middle- income countries. The Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire for Infants - Milk Feeding version (FPSQ-M) was originally developed in Australia, but its applicability in diverse cultural contexts requires validation.

OBJECTIVE to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the FPSQ-M for use among Mexican mothers with infants under six months of age.

METHODS this cross-sectional study involved 197 Mexican mothers. The FPSQ-M underwent translation, cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation. Construct validity was evaluated through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and measurement invariance by maternal education level was tested using multigroup analysis.

RESULTS the EFA identified a four-factor structure, explaining 56.49 % of the variance, aligning with the original FPSQ-M. CFA, after removing two low-loading items, showed improved model fit (GFI = 0.901, CFI = 0.916, RMSEA = 0.063). Measurement invariance confirmed that the FPSQ-M is equivalent across maternal educational groups. Internal consistency was acceptable across all dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS the FPSQ-M demonstrated strong psychometric properties in this Mexican sample, making it a reliable tool for assessing feeding practices. Its use is recommended in future research and public health interventions aimed at promoting responsive feeding and preventing early childhood obesity.