‘I can't do any serious exercise’: barriers to physical activity amongst people of Pakistani and Indian origin with Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is at least 4 times more common among British South Asians than in the general population. South Asians also have a higher risk of diabetic complications, a situation which has been linked to low levels of physical activity observed amongst this group. Little is known about the factors and considerations which prohibit and/or facilitate physical activity amongst South Asians. This qualitative study explored Pakistani (n = 23) and Indian (n = 9) patients' perceptions and experiences of undertaking physical activity as part of their diabetes care. Although respondents reported an awareness of the need to undertake physical activity, few had put this lifestyle advice into practice. For many, practical considerations, such as lack of time, were interwoven with cultural norms and social expectations. Whilst respondents reported health problems which could make physical activity difficult, these were reinforced by their perceptions and understandings of their diabetes, and its impact upon their future health. Education may play a role in physical activity promotion; however, health promoters may need to work with, rather than against, cultural norms and individual perceptions. We recommend a realistic and culturally sensitive approach, which identifies and capitalizes on the kinds of activities patients already do in their everyday lives.

Ischaemic Heart Disease–Related Knowledge, Behaviours, and Beliefs of Indo-Canadians and Euro-Canadians: Implications for Physical Therapists

“…This cultural dimension may have an impact on gym attendance, 46 as cultural expectations about modesty and sex segregation, the priority given to family obligations and work commitments over personal leisure time, language barriers, and climatic conditions may limit ICs' desire and ability to attend fitness facilities. 40,41 Our results support previous findings suggesting that ICs have higher fat intake, 20 which may be explained by poor nutritional knowledge 14,47,48 or by a failure to integrate nutritional knowledge into practice. Although perceived susceptibility to IHD was comparable for ICs and ECs, 21% of ICs reported preparing deep-fried food more than twice a week, compared with none among ECs.…”

“…Capitalizing on religious faith and affiliations and involving religious leaders as facilitators for the purpose of promoting health initiatives could augment the benefit of community-based initiatives targeted to some cultural groups. 40 Our study has several limitations. First, questionnaire studies have limited validity because they are based on self-reported data; follow-up replication and extension studies are needed to establish the reproducibility of our findings.…”

“…5,17,39,40 Knowledge gaps, although important, do not completely explain lifestyle choices, which are also influenced by cultural dimensions including individualism/ collectivism and uncertainty avoidance. 5 As discussed above, Western cultures tend to be more individualistic and characterized by loose social frameworks, whereas Eastern and Middle Eastern cultures tend to be more collectivistic and characterized by tight social frameworks.…”

“…5 Based on this construct, ICs may be less inclined to modify their lifestyle in response to a diagnosis of heart disease. A belief that disease and death are pre-ordained and not controllable, 14,39,41 and acceptance of disease diagnosis as inevitable, 40,41,43 could explain this observation.…”

Inhibitors and enablers of physical activity in multiethnic hypertensive patients: qualitative study

“…[21][22][23] The aim of this study was to remedy this deficiency and to gain a better understanding of what may positively influence PA among immigrants of African descent with hypertension. This requires information on the views of patients themselves.…”