Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire-Short Form

Abstract

Background: Currently, in low- and middle-income countries, the problem of overweight and obesity is increasing at alarming rate. Along with well-known factors, psychosocial factors such as low self-efficacy highly associated with these problems. Hence, it is necessary to assess individual self-efficacy in weight management consultations using valid instrument. The aim of this study was to determine psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire-Short Form (WEL-SF). Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out on 400 women referring to urban community health centers in Kerman Province, Iran. Data collected using a questionnaire contained demographic data and Persian version of WEL-SF. The reliability of the questionnaire determined using Cronbach s alpha. The construct validity evaluated by exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) and confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19 and Lisrel 8.8. Results: Internal consistency of WEL-SF was 0.83 using Cronbach s alpha. In the PCA, two factors were extracted with the total amount of 62.6% explained variance. In confirmatory factor analysis, the model had acceptable goodness of fit indices. Conclusions: The Persian version of WEL-SF had excellent psychometric properties.