Scale-Description

The Weight Decisional Balance Scale (WDBS-20) is a psychometric tool developed to assess the pros and cons that an individual perceives regarding weight loss or changes in body weight. Based on the theoretical model of Decisional Balance and behavior change theories, the WDBS-20 provides insight into how an individual’s attitudes, views, and values influence their decisions regarding weight management.

The scale consists of 20 items designed to measure two main dimensions:

Pros: The benefits an individual sees in losing weight, such as improved health, increased self-confidence, or social acceptance.

Cons: The negative aspects that the individual may face, such as difficulty in changing habits, restriction of enjoyment of food, or fear of failure.

Participants are asked to rate each item on a Likert scale, indicating how important they consider the pros and cons in their decision-making process about weight change.

Data Analysis and Usage

The data collected from the WDBS-20 can be analyzed to determine the extent to which individuals consider the benefits or drawbacks of weight changes as significant. The main analytical procedures include:

Reliability analysis, such as calculating Cronbach’s alpha to assess the internal consistency of the subscales (Pros and Cons).

Statistical analysis to compare the degree of pros and cons between different groups, for example, between individuals who want to lose weight and those who do not.

Correlation analysis to explore the relationship between decisional balance (pros and cons) and other behaviors, such as dieting, physical activity, or adherence to weight loss programs.

These data can be used in clinical and research settings to better understand how individuals’ perceptions and values influence their willingness to change their behavior regarding weight.

Purpose

The main goal of the WDBS-20 is to record and evaluate an individual’s decisional balance concerning weight loss. Specifically, the scale aims to:

Identify the motivations (pros) and obstacles (cons) that influence an individual’s willingness to change weight-related behaviors.

Guide weight loss interventions by helping healthcare professionals understand the individual’s views and tailor the strategies they use.

Examine changes in decisional balance over time, monitoring the evolution of the individual’s attitudes and motivations as they progress through the change process.

Calibration

The calibration of the WDBS-20 involves the following steps:

Reliability analysis to calculate the internal consistency of the items in the pros and cons subscales, ensuring that the items consistently measure the individual’s perceptions.

Confirmatory factor analysis to validate the structure of the two dimensions (pros and cons) included in the scale.

Cross-validation in different populations (such as individuals with different weight levels or stages of readiness for weight loss) to ensure the validity and generalizability of the results.

Bibliography

Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12(1), 38-48.

O’Connell, D., & Velicer, W. F. (1988). A decisional balance measure and the stages of change model for weight loss. The International Journal of Addictions, 23(7), 729-750.

Prochaska, J. O., Redding, C. A., & Evers, K. E. (2008). The Transtheoretical Model and stages of change. Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice, 97-121.