Exploring Cultural Influences on Eating Habits and Lifestyles Among Tengger Tribe Adolescents: A Qualitative Approach
Background: The eating habits and lifestyles of adolescents are strongly influenced by their culture. As a tourist area visited by countless tourists, Tengger adolescents are also affected by the cultures brought from outside.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze cultural influences on the eating habits and lifestyles of Tengger adolescents.
Methods: This was a qualitative study by interviewing 15 Tengger adolescents as the key informants and one Wonokitri Village Head. The variables include the Tengger Tribe culture, new cultures like eating habits, and lifestyles comprising fashion styles, teenage socialization behaviors, smoking activities, alcohol consumption, and gadget usage. The data obtained through in-depth interviews and observations of adolescents' habits are analyzed using inductive analysis.
Results: The results showed that Tengger adolescents still firmly hold to their cultural customs. However, it is undeniable that the "outside" cultures also influence them, as evidenced by their obsession with fast food, fashion style, socialization, smoking addiction, alcohol consumption, and social media fixation.
Conclusions: It can be concluded that there are indirect “outside” cultural influences on Tengger adolescents' eating habits, fashion styles, socialization behaviors, smoking activities, alcohol consumption, and gadget usage, even though the local culture is still firmly upheld. Thus, it is a suggestion for Tengger adolescents to sort out which cultures positively influence their lifestyles.
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