Self-efficacy in Weight Management and Anthropometric Indices in Tehrani Male Adolescents

Background and Objectives: Although a growing interest on the role of self-efficacy in weight management is reported worldwide, less research has been carried out on this association in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate association of weight linked self-efficacy with anthropometric measurements in Tehrani male adolescents. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 535 male students aged 12–16 years old from two secondary high schools of District 5, Tehran, Iran. Weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and body muscle percentage were measured using bio impedance analyzer (BIA) scale. A validated weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire (WEL) was used to assess weight linked self-efficacy. Results: The higher weight linked self-efficacy was significantly associated with further body muscle percentage (P<0.05). However, no significant association was seen between the self-efficacy and weight, height, BMI and body fat percentage of the male adolescents. Conclusions: Results of the current study suggest that self-efficacy for weight management may be unlinked to specific measures of obesity, while male adolescents with a higher self-efficacy in weight management may have a higher muscle mass. Further research is necessary to verify effects of self-efficacy on anthropometric indices in male adolescents.