Validating a Chinese version of the Weight Self‐stigma Questionnaire for use with obese adults

Abstract Background Although weight‐based stigmatization is pervasive in everyday life, a suitable measure of weight self‐stigma is currently unavailable for the obese Chinese population. Aims The purpose of this study was to translate and test the psychometric properties of the Weight Self‐stigma Questionnaire into Chinese (C‐WSSQ) for use with obese Chinese people. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 156 overweight or obese adults. The data were collected from September to December 2015. Data on the body mass index, C‐WSSQ, and Multidimensional Body Self‐relation Questionnaire were used. Results The reproducibility and Cronbach a of the C‐WSSQ were .892 and .880, respectively, indicating acceptable reliability. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that 2 extracted factors identified to the domain structures of the C‐WSSQ, as explained by the 67.05% total variance. The C‐WSSQ also demonstrated that the 2‐factor model, self‐devaluation, and fear of enacted stigma fit the data on the basis of confirmatory factor analysis. Meanwhile, the C‐WSSQ was correlated with body mass index and Multidimensional Body Self‐relation Questionnaire, indicating an acceptable criterion‐related validity. Conclusion The C‐WSSQ shows adequate reliability and validity. The health professionals can use the C‐WSSQ to assess weight self‐stigma of obese Chinese adults before and after intervention of a weight‐loss program.