A scale development study to measure knowledge levels of obesity prevention methods: Obesity Struggle Knowledge Scale Obesity Struggle Knowledge Scale

Abstract

In this cross-sectional prospective study, it was aimed to develop a scale to measure the knowledge levels of individuals on obesity struggle methods. The study was conducted on a total of 422 participants, 285 (67.5%) women and 137 (32.5%) men, who applied to our clinic with weight complaints between June 2019 and March 2020. A survey including baseline characteristics and Obesity Struggle Knowledge Scale with 15 items was applied to participants. EFA results showed that all items in the scale had factor weights higher than 0.40 with acceptable range. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) level showed that sample is adequate for the Principle Component Analysis (KMO: 0.817). Three factors with five items for each factor were found as “Nutrition Knowledge”, “Physical Activity Knowledge”, and “Medical Support Knowledge”. CFA analysis results showed that the scale had good fit with EFA results (CMIN/DF: 3.355; AGFI: 0.921; CFI: 0.955; IFI: 0.955; RMSEA: 0.075). Medical support knowledge had the highest mean, followed by physical activity and nutrition knowledge. All factors had higher reliability values. There were positive correlations between total obesity knowledge score with nutrition knowledge (r=0.608; p<0.01), physical activity knowledge (r=0.399; p<0.01) and medical support knowledge (r=0.627; p<0.01). There was positive and significant correlation between nutrition knowledge and medical support knowledge (r=0.141; p<0.01). The scale may applied to large samples, it can be determined which group needs more information in studies such as public service advertisements and education to be carried out to struggle with obesity. By this way, it may be possible to use public resources more efficiently and to reach individuals more effectively in health.