Factors influencing obesity among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Mamuju Regency

Introduction: this study examines factors influencing adolescent obesity in Mamuju Regency. It focuses on urban–rural differences.Objective: this study examines factors influencing adolescent obesity in urban and rural Mamuju Regency.Methodology: aquantitative, cross-sectional correlational design was used with 320 students from 44 vocational high schools in remote villages and central urban Mamuju. Participants were selected via purposive sampling, targeting schools with at least 20 cases of obesity. Data were collected through a virtual survey using Google Forms, covering sociodemographic data, physical activity (IPAQ-short), mental health indicators (DASS-42), sleep quality (PSQI), and BMI. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation, Mann-Whitney tests, and ordinal regression (IBM SPSS Statistics).Results: results showed that in urban adolescents, sleep quality significantly correlated with BMI (p = 0.01, OR = 2.295), as did the physical activity (p = 0.04, OR = 2.365) and stress levels (p = 0.38, OR = 1.343). Among rural adolescents, physical activity (p = 0.02, OR = 3.197), sleep quality (p = 0.07, OR = 2.967), and stress levels (p = 0.25, OR = 2.981) were significantly asso-ciated with BMI.Discussion: lifestyle influences adolescents' nutritional status in Mamuju Regency, with sleep quality and physical activity affecting BMI in urban areas, while physical activity is key in rural areas. Targeted interventions are essential to reduce obesity.Conclusions: the findings emphasize the role of lifestyle factors like sleep quality, physical ac-tivity, and stress in managing BMI among adolescents, highlighting the need for targeted inter-ventions to reduce obesity