Barriers and facilitators of physical activity among Black and Minority Ethnic adults and older adults in the United Kingdom: A meta-ethnographic study

Ige, Janet; Pilkington, Paul; Gray, Selena; Powell, Jane

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults from socially disadvantaged groups and BME groups experience a relatively higher burden of physical inactivity. BME communities in the UK experience a considerably higher burden of disease than non-BME counterparts. Despite the increasing number of qualitative studies investigating the barriers and facilitators of physical activity among older adults from BME backgrounds in the UK, there is very limited review-level evidence. This review aims to undertake a synthesis using a meta-ethnographic approach, of existing studies that have explored the barriers and opportunities for physical activity among BME adults and older adults in the UK.

Method: Studies conducted between January 2007 and July 2017 were eligible If they met the following criteria: employed any qualitative method; Included participants identified as being BME, aged 50 and above, living within any UK community. In total, 1036 studies were identified from a structured search of six electronic databases combined with hand searching of reference bibliography from identified studies for grey literature. Of these 10 met the inclusion criteria.

Result: Six key themes emerged from the data: awareness of the links between physical activity and health, interaction and engagement with health professionals, cultural expectations and social responsibilities, appropriate environment, religious fatalism and practical challenges. Findings also showed that the barriers and facilitators of physical activity exists at the individual, community and socio-economic, cultural and environmental level. There was a substantial gap in research among Black African groups.

Conclusion: Identifying the barriers and facilitators of physical activity among BME groups and acknowledging and addressing cultural issues is crucial if low levels of physical activity are to be addressed.

• Presentation Conference Type: Presentation / Talk
• Conference Name: 7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress
• Start Date: Oct 15, 2018
• End Date: Oct 17, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Apr 30, 2018
• Publication Date: Oct 17, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: physical activity, black and minority ethnic groups
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/858656
• Related Public URLs: https://www.phe-events.org.uk/hpa/frontend/reg/absViewDocumentFE.csp?documentID=13627
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 7th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress