The Dimensionality, Consistency, and Structural Validity of an Instrument Used to Measure Obesogenic Attitudes in Parents from Southern Spain (The PRELSA Scale)

Nutrients. 2024 Apr 11;16(8):1135. doi: 10.3390/nu16081135.

Abstract

(1) Background: We aimed to analyze the dimensionality, internal consistency, and structural validity of the Preschool Eating, Lifestyle, and Sleeping Attitudes Scale (PRELSA Scale), which is an instrument that was designed to measure obesogenic behaviors. (2) Methods: We carried out an observational study by means of an online survey. The PRELSA Scale consists of 13 dimensions and 60 items relating to the most common obesogenic behaviors and attitudes. Additionally, we obtained sociodemographic characteristics and concrete habits from the sample. We obtained the responses of 791 parents and caregivers of preschool children between 2 and 6 years of age in Andalusia (southern Spain). We analyzed dimensionality through an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), consistency through Cronbach's Alpha, structural validity through a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and measurement invariance with multigroup CFA models. (3) Results: The EFA showed a 14-dimensional structure with 48 items. The internal consistency was acceptable in all dimensions (Cronbach's Alpha range of 0.72 to 0.97). The structure was confirmed in the CFA with good fit indices (CFI and TLI > 0.9 and RMSEA < 0.05). We ensured that the scale had measurement invariance regarding education, income, and marital status. (4) Conclusions: The PRELSA Scale shows promising properties that have the potential to measure obesogenic behaviors in Spain, which could be the basis for future interventions associated with the prevention of childhood obesity in healthcare and educational settings.

Keywords: childhood obesity; feeding practices; parental attitudes; reliability and validity; scales.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Male
  • Parents* / psychology
  • Pediatric Obesity* / prevention & control
  • Pediatric Obesity* / psychology
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sleep
  • Spain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards

Grants and funding

This research was supported by public funds of the ITI call (integrated territorial investment), developed by the Health Department of the Andalusian Government. This project was 80% co-financed by funds from the FEDER operational program of Andalusia in the 2014–2020 period (PI-0020-2017).