A Cebolla1,2, C Botella2,3, L Galiana4, F Fernández-Aranda2,5, E Toledo6, D Corella2,7, Jordi Salas-Salvadó2,8, M Fitó2,9, D Romaguera2,10, J Wärnberg2,11, L L Serra-Majem2,12, X Pintó2,13, P Buil-Cosiales14, J V Sorlí2,7, A Díaz-López2,8, R De la Torre2,9, M Fernández de Mott2,11, B V Díaz González2,12, E Corbella2,13, A Yañez2,15, R Baños16,17. 1. Department Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Universitat de València, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, València, Spain. 2. CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. 3. Department of Basic Psychology, Clinic and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló, Spain. 4. Department of Methodology for the Behavioral Sciences, Universitat de València, València, Spain. 5. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain. 7. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. 8. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Nutrition unit; Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV); University Hospital of Sant Joan de Reus, Nutrition Unit, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. 9. Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain. 10. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Illes Balears (IdISBa), University Hospital of Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. 11. Department of Nursing, University of Málaga-IBIMA, Málaga, Spain. 12. Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Preventive Medicine Service, Centro Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil (CHUIMI), Canarian Health Service, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain. 13. Lipid Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Bellvitge BiomedicalResearch Institute (IDIBELL)-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. 14. Servicio Navarro de Salud-Atención Primaria, Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain. 15. Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. 16. Department Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Universitat de València, Avda. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, València, Spain. banos@uv.es. 17. CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. banos@uv.es.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS) measures a person's beliefs regarding the locus of control or lack of locus of control over his/her body weight. PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the MWLCS with Spanish normal weight, overweight and obese samples. METHODS: The research was carried out in two different studies. The first included a sample of 140 normal weight participants, selected out of a 274 sample recruited with an online survey. Study 2 was carried out in a sample of 633 participants recruited from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Out of them, 558 participants fulfilled the weight criteria and were categorized into: overweight (BMI 25 - < 29.99; N = 170), obese class I (BMI 30 - < 34.99; N = 266), and obese class II (BMI 35 - < 39.99; N = 122). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used to evaluate the factor structure of the MWLCS, and reliabilities and Spearman's correlations were estimated. Invariance measurement was tested across the three subgroups of weight in Study 2. RESULTS: A three-factor structure indicating weight locus of control factors (internal, chance, and powerful others) was supported, both via EFA in the normal weight sample and CFA in the overweight and obese samples. In the normal weight sample, the powerful others dimension was positively related to BMI and the dimensions of the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. Additionally, the scale showed evidence of scalar invariance across the groups with different weight conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This scale seems to be a psychometrically appropriate instrument and its use is highly recommended when designing interventions for overweight or obese individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.
INTRODUCTION: The Multidimensional Weight Locus of Control Scale (MWLCS) measures a person's beliefs regarding the locus of control or lack of locus of control over his/her body weight. PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the MWLCS with Spanish normal weight, overweight and obese samples. METHODS: The research was carried out in two different studies. The first included a sample of 140 normal weight participants, selected out of a 274 sample recruited with an online survey. Study 2 was carried out in a sample of 633 participants recruited from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Out of them, 558 participants fulfilled the weight criteria and were categorized into: overweight (BMI 25 - < 29.99; N = 170), obese class I (BMI 30 - < 34.99; N = 266), and obese class II (BMI 35 - < 39.99; N = 122). Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses were used to evaluate the factor structure of the MWLCS, and reliabilities and Spearman's correlations were estimated. Invariance measurement was tested across the three subgroups of weight in Study 2. RESULTS: A three-factor structure indicating weight locus of control factors (internal, chance, and powerful others) was supported, both via EFA in the normal weight sample and CFA in the overweight and obese samples. In the normal weight sample, the powerful others dimension was positively related to BMI and the dimensions of the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire. Additionally, the scale showed evidence of scalar invariance across the groups with different weight conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This scale seems to be a psychometrically appropriate instrument and its use is highly recommended when designing interventions for overweight or obese individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health; Locus of control; Multidimensional weight locus of control scale; Obesity; Weight