2018, Volume 10, Issue 2
Polish adaptation and validation of the Anti-Fat Attitudes Scale – AFAS
Małgorzata Obara-Gołębiowska1, Justyna Michałek-Kwiecień1
1Department of Psychology of Development and Education, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
Author for correspondence: Małgorzata Obara-Gołębiowska; Department of Psychology of Development and Education, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; email: malgorzata. obara@gmail.com; m.obara-golebiowska@uwm.edu.pl
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Abstract
Background: Bias, stigma, and discrimination in relation to weight are frequently experienced by many obese people. The goal of the present study was to develop a Polish adaptation of the Anti-Fat Attitudes Scale (AFAS) proposed by Morrison and O’Connor.
Materials/methods: The study was conducted on undergraduate students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The original Canadian Scale Anti-Fat Attitudes Scale was translated into Polish, and its factor structure, reliability and construct validity were determined.
Results: The exploratory factor analysis (Study 1) supported the development of the Polish version of the Anti-Fat Attitudes Scale with a one-dimensional structure modeled on the original version of the scale (factor loading ranged from .71 to .85). The confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2) validated the one-factor structure of the tool with high values of GFI and AGFI (above .95) and an acceptable value of RMSEA (RMSEA =.07). The results of the analysis revealed that satisfactory stability was maintained over a 4-week period. The validity criterion was confirmed based on correlations with the constructs that were theoretically linked to this phenomenon.
Conclusions: The Polish version of the AFAS can be used to measure negative attitudes toward overweight individuals.
Key words: Anti-Fat Attitudes Scal, obesity, discrimination