Negotiating food, family, and digital influences

Adolescent perspectives on type 2 diabetes prevention in Eastern Indonesia

Authors

  • Achmad R. Muttaqien Al-Maidin Department of Public Health, Mega Buana University, Palopo, Indonesia
  • Zamli Zamli Department of Public Health, Mega Buana University, Palopo, Indonesia
  • Musni Musni Department of Midwifery, Institute Batari Toja, Bone, Indonesia
  • Azniah Syam Department of Public Health, Mega Buana University, Palopo, Indonesia
  • Pupin Astuti Division of Maternal and Child Health, Pratama Yasin Clinic, Makassar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24252/diversity.v7i1.72115

Keywords:

adolescent, diabetes mellitus, feeding behavior, health literacy, social media

Abstract

Adolescent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevention has predominantly emphasized individual health education, while the family, social, cultural, and environmental contexts shaping everyday preventive behaviours remain insufficiently examined, particularly in Eastern Indonesia; this study addresses this gap by exploring adolescents’ lived experiences across urban and rural settings. This qualitative study used an interpretive phenomenological orientation within a constructivist paradigm and was conducted in Luwu Raya, South Sulawesi, from March to August 2025. Adolescents aged 13–19 years without diagnosed T2DM or identified clinical risk were recruited using purposive maximum-variation sampling across residence and socioeconomic strata. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in participants’ preferred languages or dialects and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with sample adequacy guided by information power. Seven themes emerged: family meals and parental influence; traditional food practices and local wisdom; social media and peer-driven diet trends; physical activity and resistance; health literacy and healthcare access; affordability and availability of healthy options; and sleep and screen time. Family food practices were protective, whereas peer, digital, and environmental influences often constrained healthy choices. Effective T2DM prevention should therefore combine family-based strategies, supportive environments, and culturally responsive approaches aligned with Islamic principles of moderation, health stewardship, and collective family responsibility.

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Published

2026-08-29

How to Cite

Al-Maidin, A. R. M., Zamli, Z., Musni, M., Syam, A., & Astuti, P. (2026). Negotiating food, family, and digital influences: Adolescent perspectives on type 2 diabetes prevention in Eastern Indonesia. Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity, 7(1), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.24252/diversity.v7i1.72115

Issue

Volume 7, Issue 1, August 2026

Section

Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Achmad R. Muttaqien Alimin Maidin, Zamli Zamli, Musni Musni, Azniah Syam, Pupin Astuti

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