Psychometric properties of Sizing Me Up in a community sample of 4 th and 5 th grade students with overweight and obesity

Abstract

Objective To extend the health-related quality of life assessment literature by examining the reliability and validity of Sizing Me Up in a community sample of nontreatment-seeking overweight and obese children. Methods Participants included 302 students (M age=10.34) recruited from 6 elementary schools, who completed self-report measures of health-related quality of life and weight-related health. Results 134 overweight and obese children were included in the analyses to establish validity for the measure. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a 5-factor first-order factor structure with 1 second-order factor representing a total score. Convergent and criterion-related validity was established among overweight and obese children. Estimates of internal consistency for the 5-factor Sizing Me Up factor structure indicated that the subscales are not acceptable outside of a structural equation modeling approach. Conclusion Outside of a structural equation modeling framework, only the total score appears to be appropriate in this population. © 2012 The Author.