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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0BMC Public Health

Perceived negative social influence related to weight loss: development of a questionnaire and exploratory factor analysis

  • Ingrid H.M. Steenhuis1,2
  • Milou Vlaar1,2
  • Lies ter Beek1,2
  • Willemieke Kroeze3
  • Carry M. Renders1,2
  1. 1Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  2. 2Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  3. 3Department of Nursing, Christian University of Applied Sciences Ede (CHE), Ede, PO box 80 The Netherlands
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Abstract

Background: Weight loss is often unsuccessful in the long term. The social environment plays a role in lapses and relapses. Perceived negative social influence is still underexplored in the context of weight loss. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure perceived negative social influence related to weight loss.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with an online survey was conducted (n = 368). Questions were constructed on the basis of answers from 47 respondents to an open question about sabotage in a pilot study. An exploratory factor analysis was performed, internal consistency was determined.

Results: Three subscales were identified: Normative and Verbal Pressure to Eat or Drink, Creating a Tempting Environment, Doubting the Need for Weight Loss. Cronbach’s alpha varied from 0.84 − 0.89 for the subscales and 0.92 for the overall questionnaire.

Conclusions: The present study provides a preliminary questionnaire to measure perceived negative social influence related to weight loss. Future studies are needed to gain insight into the prevalence of these factors among people trying to lose weight and to identify additional potential negative social influences related to weight loss.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{steenhuis2026perceived,
  title = {{Perceived negative social influence related to weight loss: development of a questionnaire and exploratory factor analysis}},
  author = {Ingrid H.M. Steenhuis and Milou Vlaar and Lies ter Beek and Willemieke Kroeze and Carry M. Renders},
  journal = {BMC Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceived negative social influence related to weight loss: development of a questionnaire and exploratory factor analysis
AU  - Ingrid H.M. Steenhuis
AU  - Milou Vlaar
AU  - Lies ter Beek
AU  - Willemieke Kroeze
AU  - Carry M. Renders
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/11
JO  - BMC Public Health
DO  - 10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3
AB  - Background: Weight loss is often unsuccessful in the long term. The social environment plays a role in lapses and relapses. Perceived negative social influence is still underexplored in the context of weight loss. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure perceived negative social influence related to weight loss.  Methods: A cross-sectional study with an online survey was conducted (n = 368). Questions were constructed on the basis of answers from 47 respondents to an open question about sabotage in a pilot study. An exploratory factor analysis was performed, internal consistency was determined.  Results: Three subscales were identified: Normative and Verbal Pressure to Eat or Drink, Creating a Tempting Environment, Doubting the Need for Weight Loss. Cronbach’s alpha varied from 0.84 − 0.89 for the subscales and 0.92 for the overall questionnaire.  Conclusions: The present study provides a preliminary questionnaire to measure perceived negative social influence related to weight loss. Future studies are needed to gain insight into the prevalence of these factors among people trying to lose weight and to identify additional potential negative social influences related to weight loss.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28790-3.
SN  - 1471-2458
ER  -