Table 1 Characteristics of scales and items in the questionnaire
Scale/item | # items | Cronbach’s α/Pearson’s coefficient (r) | Examples of items, answer categories and score range |
|---|---|---|---|
Outcomes | |||
Child’s snacking behaviour | 4 | - | How many days a week does your child eat snacks (crisps, cheese cubes etcetera or sweets)? Never (0) – every day (7). How many portions (crisps, cheese cubes etcetera or sweets) does your child eat per day? 1-2 portions a day (1) – more than 4 portions a day (3) |
Child’s outdoors playing | 2 | - | How many days a week does your child play outdoors (outside school time) Never (0) – every day (7). How long does your child generally play outdoors? Less than half an hour per day (1) – more than 3 hours per day (5). |
Intention snack intake | 1 | - | For the next six months, I plan to make sure my child does not eat too many sweets and snacks. Certainly not (-2) – certainly (2)a |
Intention playing outdoors | 1 | - | Do you plan to be alert to see that your child plays outdoors enough to prevent or diminish overweight in the next six months? Certainly not (-2) – certainly (2) |
Distal factors | |||
Beliefs about genetic causes of overweight | 8 | α =0.75 | A person’s physique is hereditary. Totally disagree (-2) – totally agree (2) |
Perceived child weight | 2 | r = 0.83 | What do you think of your child’s weight at this moment? Compared to other children of his/her age, I find my child…. Far too heavy (-2) – far too light (2) |
Monitoring (CFQ)b | 3 | α = 0.91 | How much do you keep track of the sweets (candy, ice cream, cream cake) that your child eats? Never (-2) – Always (2) |
TPB factors | |||
Attitude snack intake | 6 | α = 0.61 | I think it’s alright to watch my child at all time so he/she does not eat too many sweets and snacks. Totally disagree (-2) – totally agree (2) |
Subjective social norm snack intake | 3 | α = 0.85 | My partner thinks that I should be alert and see that my child does not eat too many candies and snacks. Certainly not (-2) – certainly (2) |
Perceived behavioural control snack intake | 2 | r = 0.42 | Do you think that you will succeed in continuing to watch your child so he/she does not eat too many sweets and snacks if he/she keeps asking for snacks. Certainly not (-2) - certainly (2) |
Attitude playing outdoors | 6 | α = 0.45 | If I make sure my child plays outdoors enough, he/she will not become/be less overweight. Totally disagree (-2) – totally agree (2) |
Subjective social norm playing outdoors | 3 | α = 0.91 | My parents think that I should be alert and make sure my child plays outdoors enough. Certainly not (-2) – certainly (2) |
Perceived behavioural control playing outdoors | 2 | r = 0.50 | Do you think that you will succeed in getting your child to play outdoors enough if he/she wants to watch TV and he/she keeps on at you? Certainly not (-2) - certainly (2) |