Assessment of Validity and Reliability of Health-Related Behavior Questionnaire and Its Relationships with Overweight and Obesity in Elderly People Living in the Western Community of Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2020

Background and Objectives: Overweight and obesity are major problems within the elderly people. The aim of this study was to assess validity and reliability of the health behavior questionnaire (HBQ) and to delineate prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in elderly people living in the west of Mazandaran Province, Iran.  Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 1004 elderly people using cluster sampling method in western Mazandaran, Iran, 2020. Data were collected through anthropometric indices, questionnaires of demographic characteristics and HBQ; through which, face, content, construct, convergent and divergent validity and reliability values were assessed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out using SPSS v.26 and AMOS v.24 Software to assess construct validity. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance, independent t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: The HBQ on the elderly people living in Iran included acceptable face and content validity and reliability (r = 0.901). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in elderly people was 25.1 and 14.9%, respectively. The most effective HB in overweight and obesity was linked to the physical activity/exercise dimension with the mean of 20.18 ±6.53 and 18.57 ±6.41 in the female and male elderly people, respectively. Overweight and obesity were higher in retirees and people with high blood pressure medications, compare to those in in people in other groups. Conclusion: The HBQ can be used to assess health behaviors affecting overweight and obesity in elderly people. Implementing targeted educational programs to manage weight and improve lifestyle is recommended, especially for nutrition and sports activities.