Peer empowerment and influencing factors in improving adolescents’ healthy lifestyles in urban areas: a cross-sectional study

Adolescents’ unhealthy lifestyles are greatly influenced by their peers. However, peers often struggle to positively impact healthy lifestyle choices. Therefore, empowering peer groups has become essential, although the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of peer empowerment programs are still unclear. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing peer empowerment in shaping healthy lifestyles among adolescents. This research employed a descriptive-analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample comprised 205 adolescents residing in urban areas, selected using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression tests with p<0.05. The findings indicate that peer empowerment in promoting healthy lifestyles among adolescents is influenced by attitude (p=0.000; t=4.034), perceived benefits (p=0.037; t=2.098), affect (p=0.000; t=4.795), and motivation (p=0.000; t=7.298). Health practitioners and relevant stakeholders should consider approaches that optimize adolescents’ attitudes, perceived benefits, affect, and motivation in developing peer empowerment programs to promote healthy lifestyles among adolescents.