Premium
Development and validation of the weight control strategies scale
Author(s) -
Pinto Angela Marinilli,
Fava Joseph L.,
Raynor Hollie A.,
LaRose Jessica Gokee,
Wing Rena R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20368
Subject(s) - weight loss , varimax rotation , overweight , body mass index , medicine , construct validity , attendance , calorie , weight control , weight change , physical therapy , psychology , gerontology , obesity , clinical psychology , psychometrics , cronbach's alpha , economics , economic growth
Objective To develop and validate the Weight Control Strategies Scale (WCSS), a self‐report instrument to assess the use of specific behaviors thought to facilitate weight loss. Design and Methods Factor analysis was conducted on 323 overweight and obese adults (mean age = 48.7 ± 10.9 years, mean body mass index = 35.4 ± 4.9 kg/m 2 , 74% female) enrolled in three different behavioral weight loss trials who completed the WCSS prior to starting treatment. To evaluate construct validity, additional data on dietary intake, physical activity, treatment session attendance, and weight change were obtained from a subsample of participants before and after participation in a 48‐week weight loss program. Results Principal components analysis with varimax rotation revealed a four‐component solution for the WCSS, representing the following subscales: Dietary Choices, Self‐monitoring Strategies, Physical Activity, and Psychological Coping (α from 0.79 to 0.89). Longitudinal analyses showed that WCSS subscale scores increased during treatment ( P < 0.01). In adjusted models, changes in WCSS total and subscale scores were associated with post‐treatment weight loss ( P < 0.01). Additionally, changes in WCSS Dietary Choices and Physical Activity subscales were related to post‐treatment changes in total daily kilocalorie consumption ( P = 0.019) and weekly kilocalorie expenditure through physical activity ( P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions Findings support the validity and reliability of the WCSS in a weight loss treatment–seeking sample.