Abstract:
Physical activity involves moving the body in various postures that help promote health and develop physical, mental, social, and emotional skills. This research aims to identify factors influencing physical activity among early adolescents with overweight. A simple random sampling method was used to recruit the sample of 135 junior secondary school students in Mueang district, Rayong province. Research instruments included questionnaires to gather data for demographic information, Attitude, Self-efficacy, Supportive physical environment, Social support, and Physical activity. Data were collected during the period of February to March 2023. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the sample had mean score of physical activity at a moderate level (M = 1.76, SD = 0.66). The significant predictors of physical activity among early adolescents with overweight were social support (b = .365) and self-efficacy (b = .360). These predictors could together explain 40.3% of the variance in physical activity among early adolescents with overweight (R2 = .403, p < .001). These findings suggest that community nurses and other health care providers should apply these study results to develop interventions or programs aimed at promoting physical activity among early adolescents with overweight by focusing on social support and self-efficacy.