Development of Attitude Towards Obesity Scale and Obesity Myths Scale

Abstract

Present study aimed to develop and validate the Attitude toward Obesity Scale and Obesity Myths Scale through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and resulting factor structure was confirmed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Sample of EFA comprised of adults (N = 300) including men (n = 144) and women (n = 156) with the age range of 18 to 36 years (M = 21.53, SD = 2.65). A factor loading of .35 was set as selection criteria for an item in the scale. Using oblique rotation method, EFA presented two meaningful factors for Attitude Toward Obesity Scale and for Obesity Myths Scale. Attitude Toward Obesity Scale revealed two factors named as Lifestyle of Obese (7 items) and Qualities and Characteristics of Obese (7 items). Similarly, for Obesity Myths Scale, two factors named as Weight Control Myths (5 items) and Negative Characterization Myths (5 items) were emerged. For CFA, sample of 430 students including men (n = 180) and women (n = 250) of age range from 19 to 40 years (M = 21.62, SD = 3.13) were taken. CFA confirmed the factor structure of both scales. Alpha reliabilities were ranged from .61 to .67 for Attitude Toward Obesity Scale and from .50 to .57 for Obesity Myths Scale. Overall, both instruments emerged as reliable and valid measures to assess the explicit attitude and myth related to obesity in Pakistani culture.