Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and the Incidence of Obesity Among Adolescents in Medan City in 2025

Abstract

Obesity is a risk factor for non-communicable diseases, with its prevalence among adults in Indonesia continuing to rise. It is projected to reach 50 percent by 2030 if no effective interventions are implemented. Preventive efforts during adolescence are crucial, as adolescents with obesity are at a high risk of becoming obese adults. This study aims to analyze the relationship between self-efficacy with the incidence of obesity among senior high school adolescents in Medan City in 2025. The study employed a matched case-control design with a 1:1 ratio, in which age and sex were used as matching variables. The total sample consisted of 100 adolescents in the case group and 100 in the control group. Bivariate analysis using McNemar's test showed significant associations between total self-efficacy (p = 0.007), self-efficacy toward healthy eating behavior (p = 0.004), and self-efficacy toward maintaining a healthy body weight (p < 0.001) with obesity incidence. These findings highlight the importance of obesity prevention strategies focusing on improving adolescents' self-efficacy, along with fostering a supportive family environment for healthy living.