Translation and validation of the Greek version of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale in an adult population.

Abstract

Weight bias internalization (WBI) has been identified as a global public health concern, which is associated with significant psychological and physical consequences. Despite increased interest in WBI worldwide, cross-cultural research is limited by the lack of availability of validated measures. The aim of the current study was therefore to translate into Greek and validate the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M), the most widely used instrument in the measurement of WBI. An online convenience sample of 642 participants (364 women and 278 men) completed the Greek translation of the WBIS-M and validated the measures of satisfaction with appearance, investment in appearance, weight/appearance anxiety, body appreciation, dysfunctional eating habits and global self-esteem to assess convergent validity. Principal factor and confirmatory analyses revealed that the WBIS-M upheld its one-factor structure. The WBIS-M showed adequate internal consistency, convergent validity and 3-week test-retest reliability. These findings provide support for the cross-cultural equivalence of the WBIS-M and for the utility of this measure in Greek-speaking populations.