Differential item functioning for the Tendency of Avoiding Physical Activity and Sport Scale across two subculture samples: Taiwanese and mainland Chinese university students

Validation and Measurement Invariance of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) Among Thai Young Adults

Examining ways of reducing physical inactivity has been at the forefront of public health research. Moreover, valid and reliable scales are needed to objectively assess physical activity (PA) avoidance. Previous research has shown that experiencing weight stigma and physical appearance-related concerns are associated with physical inactivity. However, there is currently no Thai instrument that assesses physical inactivity in relation to weight stigma. Therefore, the present study examined the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS). Thai university students (N = 612) recruited via convenience sampling completed an online survey using SurveyMonkey between September 2022 and January 2023. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multigroup CFA, and Pearson correlations (between TAPAS scores, age, body mass index, and time spent exercising) were used to analyze the data. The CFA showed robust psychometric properties for the Thai version of TAPAS regarding its unidimensional structure. The TAPAS was measurement invariant across sex, weight status, and daily hours of exercise. However, no significant Pearson correlations were found. In general, the results showed that the TAPAS is a good scale for assessing PA avoidance among Thai young adults across different sexes, weight status, and daily hours of exercise.

Chinese version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport (TAPAS) scale: testing unidimensionality, measurement invariance, concurrent validity, and known-group validity among Taiwanese youths

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Psychosocial factors affect individuals' desire for physical activity. A newly developed instrument (Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport; TAPAS) has been designed to assess the avoidance of physical activity. Considering cultural differences could be decisive factors, the present study aimed to translate and validate the TAPAS into Chinese (Mandarin) for Taiwanese youths, and further cultural comparisons are expected.

METHODS

Standard translation procedure (i.e., forward translation, back translation, and reconciliation) was used to translate the English TAPAS into the Chinese TAPAS. Following translation, 608 youths (mean [SD] age 29.10 [6.36] years; 333 [54.8%] women) participated in the study via a snowballing sampling method with an online survey. All participants completed the Chinese TAPAS and additional instruments assessing weight stigma and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the Chinese TAPAS and multigroup CFA to examine measurement invariance across gender (men vs. women) and weight status (overweight vs. non-overweight). Pearson correlations were used to examine the concurrent validity; independent t-tests between gender groups and weight status groups were used to examine the known-group validity.

RESULTS

Consistent with the English version, the Chinese TAPAS was found to have a one-factor structure evidenced by CFA results. The structure was invariant across gender and weight status groups evidenced by multigroup CFA results. Concurrent validity was supported by significant associations with the related constructs assessed (r = 0.326 to 0.676; p < 0.001). Known-group validity was supported by the significant differences in TAPAS total scores between gender and weight status groups (p = 0.004 and < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.24 and 0.48).

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of the TAPAS is a valid and reliable instrument assessing individuals' avoidance of physical activity and sports due to underlying psychosocial issues among Taiwanese youths. It is anticipated to be applied within a large Asian population, as well as cross-cultural comparisons, for further explorations in health, behavioral and epidemiological research and practice.

Association of quality of life with internet use and weight stigma across individuals with obesity and those without obesity: Role of self-perception

Weight status, weight stigma, and internet use are important factors impacting quality of life (QoL). However, little is known regarding how these factors interact in their association with QoL, and it is important to understand how self-perceived obesity and body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity may differentially impact QoL. We aimed to assess the associations between weight status (obesity vs. non-obesity, including both self-perceived and BMI-defined), weight stigma, internet use, and QoL. Cross-sectional data from the Taiwan Social Change Survey (N = 1604; mean age = 49.22; 52.93 % women) were used. All participants were classified as having obesity or not having obesity according to both self-perceived (self-perceived as 'too fat') and BMI-defined (≧27 kg/m2 as obesity) weight status. Results showed that the group with obesity (both BMI-defined and self-perceived) had significantly more internet time and lower physical QoL than the group without obesity. Those with self-perceived obesity, but not those with BMI-defined obesity, sought health information via the internet and used social media significantly more than the group without obesity. More internet time was associated with worse physical and mental QoL for the group with obesity regardless of BMI-defined or self-perceived status. Moreover, weight stigma was associated with worse mental QoL for the group with self-perceived obesity, but not for the group with BMI-defined obesity. Accordingly, being a person with obesity (self-defined, or based upon BMI) was associated with more internet time and poorer QoL. People with self-perceived obesity may have increased experience of weight stigma and greater internet use, factors that may contribute to their impaired QoL.