Background and objective: Perceived self-efficacy is one of the predictive factors in behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of nutrition education on weight control self - efficacy in the obese or overweight female high school students.

Materials and methods: This intervention study of two groups on participants in which 154 obese and overweight female high school students, aged 15 to 17, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The data was collected by using the weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire (WEL). Educational programs were implemented for four sessions for experiment group and the results were evaluated after intervention. The data were analyzed using chi square, independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon and Analysis of Covariance through SPSS 22.

Results: Following the intervention, significant differences were observed in subscales including social pressures (p < 0.001) and availability of nutrition (p=0.008) in experimental group. However, these differences were not significant in negative emotions, entertaining activities and physical discomfort in this group. There were no significant differences in control group in any of subscales (p>0/05).

Conclusions: Utilizing an intervention technique like the present wellness-based program had positive effects on encouraging the adolescents for making healthier lifestyle and healthy lifestyle will prevent obesity and overweight.

Paper Type: Research Article.