Weighing in on the body knowledge questionnaire: initial development and pilot testing

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health Sciences
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Weight management is a critical aspect of public health, particularly for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
• Existing instruments may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of weight management integration.
• The development of reliable and valid tools is essential for effective interventions and program evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot test the Body Knowledge Questionnaire (BKQ).
• To assess the reliability and validity of the BKQ for measuring weight management integration.
• To establish the BKQ as a psychometrically sound instrument for clinical and research applications.

Main Methods:

• The BKQ was developed based on a comprehensive literature review.
• Pilot testing involved four groups, including individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.
• Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis, discriminant function analysis, and logistic regression to assess validity and reliability.

Main Results:

• Exploratory factor analysis revealed a robust 2-factor structure for the BKQ.
• The BKQ subscales demonstrated strong predictive accuracy in classifying participants by weight group.
• The overall BKQ achieved high internal consistency (alpha = .87), with subscales also showing good reliability.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary evidence supports the content, construct, and criterion validity of the BKQ.
• The BKQ demonstrates good internal consistency, indicating its reliability as a measurement tool.
• The BKQ has significant potential for application in weight management programs, diabetes education, and the development of new interventions.