Refugee children are likely to become less active and eat more unhealthily after their resettlement in developed countries. This review aims to identify and synthesize research about factors that influence unhealthy behaviours related to obesity in this population. Six electronic databases were searched systematically to identify studies that sampled refugee children or parents of refugee children aged 2 to 16 years who have resettled in a developed country. Methodological and cultural study quality was assessed and factors associated with obesity-related health behaviours investigated. Twenty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five major themes, representing factors influencing health behaviours, were identified from the data synthesis process: Acculturation, Environmental, Socioeconomic, Cognitive, and Family. The analysis revealed that refugee's health behaviours are influenced by several complex factors that are common to immigrant groups but have a greater influence among refugees. The review also revealed parental practices influence the health behaviours of children, especially those aged 2 to 10 years. Research is needed to understand further the role that parents have in influencing health behaviours and weight trajectories of children following resettlement. K E Y W O R D S diet, health behaviours, physical activity, refugee parents 1 | INTRODUCTION Obesity is an extremely important public health problem facing individuals, communities, and governments. 1 The last decade has seen a marked rise in the prevalence of obesity rates worldwide, with incidence of overweight reaching epidemic proportions 2 and threatening to outnumber global rates of undernutrition. 3,4 The increasing prevalence of global obesity has serious health implications for populations worldwide as it constitutes a major risk for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke, as well as certain forms of cancer. 5 Importantly, although it is more common among adults, a marked rise has also been observed in the incidence of obesity in children. 6

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Objectives To explore the experiences and perspectives of refugee parents regarding health behaviour changes among their children (i.e. changes in diet, levels of physical activity) and the impact of these changes on the health of their children aged 2–12 years. Design A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews supported by photo-elicitation. Methods Parents of 2–12 years old children who had relocated to the UK within the past three or more years were recruited from two refugee organisations in the UK. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews and photo-elicitation were used to stimulate face-to-face in-depth discussions with participants. Data were analysed using an inductive and latent thematic analysis approach. Results Twenty-seven parent refugees were recruited. Participants were primarily mothers (85%) and from Syria (70%). Other countries of origin were Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya and Tunisia. Twenty-six interviews were conducted in Arabic and one in English. The analysis identified three themes: (1) Reflection on acculturation, (2) Changed parental role, and (3) Environmental barriers to being healthy. Participants described facing substantial changes to their lifestyle and personal context, including a restricted living space, restricted neighbourhood/community and inclement weather. These differences in the environment required parents to adjust their roles, and practices around their own and their child’s eating habits. These changes influenced refugee children’s health behaviours. Of particular concern to parents were increased sedentary behaviour and consumption of unhealthy snacks. Conclusions Multiple factors were identified relating to changes in family circumstances and environments that influenced refugee children’s health behaviours. Targeting these behaviours in tailored interventions may help improve refugee children’s health.