Content validity of a psychological e-health program of self-control and motivation for adults with excess weight.

Abstract

Excess weight requires multidisciplinary treatment, including psychology in face-to-face and e-health interventions. The need to analyse interventions' content validity has become evident. The objective is to assess content validity of a psychological e-health program of self-control and motivation for adults with excess weight. Six health professionals (a nutritionist, a personal trainer, physician and three psychologists) evaluated the content validity of the program. The results showed that the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was 1 (the maximum value) for 11 of the 22 activities that comprise the program. This index fluctuated between 0.83 and 0.85 for the other activities, and the scale-level content validity index was greater than 0.90 for the four modules. In terms of relevance, effectiveness and appropriateness, 90%, 65% and 60% of the activities, respectively, obtained the maximum possible I-CVI, while the index was acceptable for the remainder of the activities. This is the first study about content validity of a psychological program for adults with excess weight in Mexico and it supported that the content program was suitable, and it may be used as a part of multidisciplinary treatments. This study also highlights the importance of involving an expert review in the development of intervention programs. This intervention program may be useful in the context of a multidisciplinary intervention; however, it is important to conduct studies to evaluate its efficacy.