title: Development and validation of the weight control strategies scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and validate the Weight Control Strategies Scale (WCSS), a self-report instrument to assess the use of specific behaviors thought to facilitate weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  Factor analysis was conducted on 323 overweight and obese adults (mean age = 48.7 ± 10.9 years, mean body mass index = 35.4 ± 4.9 kg/m(2) , 74% female) enrolled in three different behavioral weight loss trials who completed the WCSS prior to starting treatment. To evaluate construct validity, additional data on dietary intake, physical activity, treatment session attendance, and weight change were obtained from a subsample of participants before and after participation in a 48-week weight loss program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Principal components analysis with varimax rotation revealed a four-component solution for the WCSS, representing the following subscales: Dietary Choices, Self-monitoring Strategies, Physical Activity, and Psychological Coping (α from 0.79 to 0.89). Longitudinal analyses showed that WCSS subscale scores increased during treatment (P < 0.01). In adjusted models, changes in WCSS total and subscale scores were associated with post-treatment weight loss (P < 0.01). Additionally, changes in WCSS Dietary Choices and Physical Activity subscales were related to post-treatment changes in total daily kilocalorie consumption (P = 0.019) and weekly kilocalorie expenditure through physical activity (P < 0.001), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the validity and reliability of the WCSS in a weight loss treatment-seeking sample.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Angela Marinilli
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Hollie A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Raynor
authors.forename: Jessica Gokee
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: LaRose
authors.forename: Rena R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult