Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in second-generation British Indian women: A qualitative study.

Prachi Bhatnagar,Charlie Foster,Alison Shaw,George Vousden

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259248

Abstract

AimTo understand the barriers to and motivations for physical activity among second-generation British Indian women.SubjectApproximately 50% of British South Asians are UK-born, and this group is increasing as the second-generation also have children. Previous research into the barriers to and facilitators for physical activity has focused on migrant, first-generation populations. Qualitative research is needed to understand a) how we might further reduce the gap in physical activity levels between White British women and British Indian women and b) the different approaches that may be required for different generations.MethodsApplying a socioecological model to take into account the wider social and physical contexts, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 Indian women living in Manchester, England. Interviews with first-generation British Indian women were also included to provide a comparator. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, thematically coded and analysed using a grounded theory approach.ResultsWays of socialising, concerns over appearance while being physically active, safety concerns and prioritising educational attainment in adolescence were all described as barriers to physical activity in second-generation British Indian women. Facilitators for physical activity included acknowledging the importance of taking time out for oneself; religious beliefs and religious groups promoting activity; being prompted by family illness; positive messages in both the media and while at school, and having local facilities to use.ConclusionsBarriers to physical activity in second-generation Indian women were very similar to those already reported for White British women. Public health measures aimed at women in the general population may also positively affect second-generation Indian women. First-generation Indian women, second-generation children and Muslim women may respond better to culturally tailored interventions.

Highlights

Reducing health inequalities is a legal requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and a key aim of the NHS five year forward view
Public health measures aimed at women in the general population may positively affect second-generation Indian women
In England, physical activity levels among South Asians are approximately 60% lower than among White British, and lowest in South Asian women [10]; this summative data masks the significant variation in physical activity patterns within the British South Asian population

Summary

Introduction

Reducing health inequalities is a legal requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and a key aim of the NHS five year forward view. In England, physical activity levels among South Asians are approximately 60% lower than among White British, and lowest in South Asian women [10]; this summative data masks the significant variation in physical activity patterns within the British South Asian population. As part of a mixed-methods project exploring variation in physical activity in UK South Asian women, we found the level and type of physical activity varied by migration generation and age [11,12]. Due to the limited data available, previous research on generational differences in physical activity in South Asian women has been unable to ascertain the reasons behind these behavioural shifts, how they sit in the context of the wider social and physical environment, and what this means for targeting public health interventions

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