The Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS)

The present research aimed to evaluation of psychometric properties of Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS) and comparison of Internalization of weight bias in women with overweight and normal weight.

Sample was 200 female (100 with normal weight and 100 with overweight) selected using random sampling among female referring to Shiraz’s sport clubs. The participants in this research responded to WBIS and Body Image Concern Index (BICI) and their BMI index were calculated.

The coefficients of the internal similarity method and the correlation of the two halves of Spearman-Brown and Guttman were estimated as 0.84, 0.72 & 0.70, respectively. Also, the validity of the questionnaire was checked by confirmatory factor analysis and correlation with the body image concern questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the data of this research has a good fit with the single-factor model of Internalization weight bias scale. The correlation of Internalization weight bias scale with body image concern questionnaire, appearance dissatisfaction factor and social performance interference factor were 0.57, 0.59 and 0.59 respectively. Also, the two groups with normal weight and overweight had a significant difference in terms of Internalization weight bias variable (ρ<0.003, t=4.42).

This research showed that the Persian form of weight bias internalization scale has good reliability and validity and this tool can be used in clinical and research situations to evaluate weight bias internalization.