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Research Article: Psychometric validation of the Romanian Scenario-Based Dieting Self-Efficacy Scale in adults with overweight and obesity

Date Published: 2026-09-01

Abstract:
Overweight and obesity require sustained changes in eating behaviour, yet long-term adherence to dietary recommendations remains difficult. Dieting self-efficacy, defined as confidence in managing eating-related challenges, is an important self-regulatory construct in weight management. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the Scenario-Based Dieting Self-Efficacy Scale (DIET-SE) in adults with overweight and obesity. A total of 509 adults from the general Romanian population completed an online survey between February and April 2026. For the validation analyses, 243 participants with BMI???25?kg/m 2 were included. The sample was randomly divided into two independent subsamples for exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n =?123) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n =?120). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, test–retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and construct validity through associations with intuitive eating, BMI, perceived stress, body image, self-rated health, and fruit and vegetable intake. EFA supported a three-factor structure consistent with the original instrument, comprising Social and Internal Factors, Negative Emotional Events, and High-Caloric Food, which explained 52.9% of the total variance. CFA provided acceptable support for this structure, with CFI?=?0.935, TLI?=?0.908, SRMR?=?0.058, and RMSEA?=?0.090. Internal consistency was good for the total scale (Cronbach’s alpha?=?0.872) and acceptable to good for the subscales. Test–retest reliability was excellent (ICC?=?0.942). The DIET-SE total score showed positive correlations with the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 total score and with the Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues and Body–Food Choice Congruence subscales. Lower dieting self-efficacy was associated with higher BMI, greater perceived stress, larger perceived body shape, and greater discrepancy between perceived and desired body shape, while higher scores were associated with better self-rated health and higher fruit and vegetable intake. The Romanian version of the DIET-SE demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability in adults with overweight and obesity and may be useful for assessing eating-related self-efficacy in research and clinical contexts.

Introduction:
Overweight and obesity require sustained changes in eating behaviour, yet long-term adherence to dietary recommendations remains difficult. Dieting self-efficacy, defined as confidence in managing eating-related challenges, is an important self-regulatory construct in weight management. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the Scenario-Based Dieting Self-Efficacy Scale (DIET-SE) in adults with overweight and obesity.

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