DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE BRAZILIAN WEIGHT TEASING DURING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SCALE

Weight-related teasing is associated with loneliness, depression, eating disorders, and less physical activity. The purpose of the study was to develop the Brazilian Weight Teasing during Physical Activity scale (WTPAS-BR) and gather validity evidence to support its use in Brazilian adolescents. In phase 1, the prototype scale was adjusted. In phase 2, the prototype scale was cross-culturally adapted into the WTPAS-BR. In phase 3, the WTPAS-BR was psychometrically assessed. Adjustments to the prototype scale qualified items to measure weight-related teasing. A rigorous and systematic cross-cultural adaptation process translated, and assessed the content and adequacy of the WTPAS-BR among Brazilian adolescents. Based on the factorial assessment of WTPAS-BR, a one-factor model with four items was adopted. The WTPAS-BR showed adequate internal consistency, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability. Strong validity evidence supports the use of the WTPAS-BR to measure weight-related teasing occurring during physical activity in Brazilian adolescents.