Dedeli O.Fadiloglu C.2024-07-222024-07-2220111303734Xhttp://akademikarsiv.cbu.edu.tr:4000/handle/123456789/18116AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a scale based on the Health Belief Model which can provide a reliable and valid evaluation of obese individuals' belief and attitudes towards obesity. METHOD: The sample of the study that was conducted between July 2008 and May 2010 included 400 obese individuals who presented to the obesity clinics in Ege University Medical Faculty and Celal Bayar University Medical Faculty Hospitals. Obesity questionnaire form and Health Belief Model Scale in Obesity (HBMSO) developed by the investigators to collect data about sociodemographic and obesity characteristics of obese individuals as well as the health belief in obesity were completed in face-to-face interviews. The HBMSO were completed in face-to-face interviews again in the following three weeks to test-retest reliability of the scale. The analysis of data was The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows 13.0.RESULTS: A principal component factor analysis was used to measure the construct validity of the HBMSO. Five factor groups were obtained as a result of the factor analysis. These five factors formed the domains of the HBMOS that included 32 items prepared as five point Likert scales. Total item correlation analysis was positive for all domains (>0.70 p<0.05). HBMSO demonstrated a reasonable level of internal consistency reliability with a Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient of 0.80. Test and retest reliability of each domain of HBMSO was r>0.60 p<0.00. CONCLUSION: These results show that HBMSO is a reliable and valid scale to measure the attitudes and beliefs of the obese individuals about obesity.Englisharticleattitude to healthconstruct validitycontrolled studydietary intakedisease predispositiondisease severityeducational statusexercisefactorial analysisfemaleHealth Belief Modelhumaninstrument validationinternal consistencylifestyle modificationmajor clinical studymalemarriageobesityprincipal component analysisrisk reductiontest retest reliabilityArticle10.5455/pmb.20110118022318