Physical activity participation among Arab immigrants and refugees in Western societies: A scoping review

Elshahat, Sarah; Newbold, K. Bruce

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101365

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Population-level data showed that Canadian immigrant women, both newcomers and established, had lower PA rates than immigrant men or non-immigrants [ 5 ]. The same was found to be true of immigrant women in Australia, Europe and the United States [ 6 – 8 ]. A systematic review of 22 studies published since 2000 identified numerous determinants of PA participation among immigrant women including individual (lack of time, health status, motivation), familial (family support) and environmental (seasonality, neighbourhood, social support) factors [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The design and impact of culturally-safe community-based physical activity promotion for immigrant women: descriptive review

2022

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Background Immigrant women have low rates of physical activity (PA), placing them at risk for chronic diseases. Some research suggests that strategies targeting this group must be culturally-safe and community-based. This study aimed to identify the design (i.e. characteristics) and impact of culturally-safe community-based PA promotion for immigrant women. Methods We conducted a descriptive review by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews from inception to June 9, 2021 for English language studies that assessed community-based PA promotion strategies targeting adult immigrants and involved at least 50% women. We compiled findings in a preliminary context-mechanisms-outcomes conceptual framework. Results We included 13 studies published from 2004 to 2020. Three included women-only; the remainder included a median of 63% women (range 50 to 98%). Studies included immigrants from Brazil, Dominican, Columbian, Haiti, Mexico, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Turkey. All but one study (89%) significantly improved one or more outcomes: PA knowledge, PA participation and anthropometric measures (e.g. weight, BMI, blood pressure). Most (89%) strategies were multi-faceted: in-person group educational sessions reinforced by take-home educational material and/or follow-up reminder phone calls. Single strategies (e.g. mailed educational material, group educational session) also achieved beneficial outcomes. We identified 17 culturally-safe characteristics of PA promotion strategies: language of choice, based in community settings or organizations, led by lay health workers, reflected ethno-cultural linguistic expressions and PA norms, and recognized and offered solutions to barriers of PA. Findings were captured in a preliminary theory of how contextual factors (gender, intersectionality) and mechanism (culturally-safe PA promotion) may influence PA-related outcomes (PA knowledge, self-efficacy and participation; anthropometric measures, quality of life). Conclusions This study revealed the characteristics of PA promotion strategies that significantly improved PA-related outcomes among immigrants. Given that few studies focused solely on immigrant women or reported sub-analyses, the conceptual framework generated by this study can be used in future research to more definitively establish the design and impact of culturally-safe, community-based PA promotion for immigrant women.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

The design and impact of culturally-safe community-based physical activity promotion for immigrant women: descriptive review

2022

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“…The parents explained that schools place a greater focus on academia and neglect extracurricular activities. This interaction between culture and gender was also seen in immigrant families in a qualitative study that explored the influence of family values and traditions on adolescent physical activity in Qatar [ 72 ]. Acculturation and the influence of culture has been identified as having an influence on physical activity levels in Arab immigrant populations, but this has been largely restricted to adult audiences [ 73 , 74 ] and cannot be applied to adolescents who are usually second and third generation citizens of the host country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enabling Better Physical Activity and Screen Time Behaviours for Adolescents from Middle Eastern Backgrounds: Semi-Structured Interviews with Parents

Hayba

Shi

Allman‐Farinelli

2021

IJERPH

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The unrelenting obesity pandemic in Middle Eastern (ME) adolescents living in Australia warrants culturally responsive and locally engineered interventions. Given the influence of parents on the lifestyle behaviours of adolescents, this qualitative study aimed to capture the opinions of ME parents on the barriers and enablers to sufficient physical activity and limiting screen time behaviours in adolescents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 ME parents (female) aged 35–59 years old, most of whom resided in lower socioeconomic areas (n = 19). A reflexive thematic analysis using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour model was performed for coding. Parents voiced confidence in their knowledge of the importance of physical activity and limiting screen time but were less optimistic in their ability to enable change in behaviours, especially for older adolescents without outside support. Despite adolescents having the necessary skills to engage in a wide array of sports, the parents admitted deep fears regarding the safety of the social environment and restricted their children’s independent mobility. Gender differences were noted, with parents reporting older girls expressing disinterest in sports and having limited physical opportunities to participate in sports at school. It may be that a community-based participatory framework is needed to improve physical activity opportunities and to address specific physical, social, and cultural barriers.

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“…On the basis of 5 studies examining PA in Arab Americans, the percentage of Arab Americans that meet the minimum PA guidelines ranged from approximately 11% to 60% 4,5,9–11 . These findings were confirmed in a 2021 scoping review that examined PA participation among Arab immigrants and refugees in Western societies 6 . Furthermore, data from 2 of these 5 studies 4,5 revealed that a smaller percentage of Arab Americans met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities guidelines: 8.3% in 1 study 5 and 11.4% in the other 4 .…”

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confidence: 88%

Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Arab Americans

et al. 2022

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Background: Many Arab Americans do not meet the physical activity (PA) guidelines despite evidence to support health benefits. Aims: We aimed to investigate the relationships between PA and sample characteristics, intrapersonal factors, and interpersonal factors and examine to what extent these factors influence PA in Arab Americans. A cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational design using a self-administered questionnaire with 140 Arab Americans was used. Spearman ρ correlation was used to assess the associations between PA and sample characteristics, intrapersonal factors, and interpersonal factors. Three simultaneous gamma regression models were used to assess to what extent these factors jointly influenced PA. Results: Most participants (58.6%) reported a high level of PA. Significant positive associations were found between PA and health status, religiosity, and PA self-efficacy (r s = 0.21, P = .019; r s = 0.19, P = .029; and r s = 0.28, P = .003, respectively). Multiple regression models revealed that being employed ( model1: Exp[b] = 1.87, P = .030; Model 3: Exp[b] = 1.77, P = .043) and having chronic conditions (model 1: Exp[b] = 1.88, P = .031; model 2: Exp[b] = 1.96, P = .034; model 3: Exp[b] = 1.91, P = .047) were associated with greater PA, when accounting for other sample characteristics, intrapersonal factors, and interpersonal factors.Conclusion: Presence of chronic health conditions and employment status should be considered when promoting PA in Arab Americans. Future research is needed to explore the relationship between religiosity, PA self-efficacy, and PA in this population.

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Physical activity participation among Arab immigrants and refugees in Western societies: A scoping review

Cited by 15 publications

References 77 publications

The design and impact of culturally-safe community-based physical activity promotion for immigrant women: descriptive review

The design and impact of culturally-safe community-based physical activity promotion for immigrant women: descriptive review

Enabling Better Physical Activity and Screen Time Behaviours for Adolescents from Middle Eastern Backgrounds: Semi-Structured Interviews with Parents

Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Influencing Physical Activity in Arab Americans

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