Barriers and Motives to PA in South Asian Indian Immigrant Women

Abstract

The high prevalence of chronic illnesses in South Asian Indian immigrant women underscores the need for identifying factors that could influence their PA. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perspectives of South Asian Indian immigrant women related to barriers to and motives for lifestyle PA within the PA Framework for South Asian Indian Immigrants. Forty women participated in focus groups that were conducted in English and Hindi. Focus group questions were open-ended and semistructured. Transcribed and de-identified audiotaped sessions were coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti software. Role expectation was a core theme for barriers with four subthemes: lack of time, loss of interest, diminished social support, and environmental constraints. Self-motivation was a core theme for motives with three subthemes: optimal physical and psychological health, emphasis on external beauty, and strong social support. Future PA interventions need to target these culturally sensitive factors.

Factors Influencing Physical Activity Participation among Midlife Immigrant Women: A Systematic Review

“…Seven (32%, 7/22) studies addressed a lack of time as a barrier influencing attendance, participation and/or adherence in physical activity interventions [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. A lack of time was mainly due to household responsibilities and work obligations [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. A study among Korean–Chinese immigrant women identified that individual occupational related time constraints were related to unstable employment, unfamiliar working conditions, unpredictable hours at work, lack of rest time, frequent changes of workplaces, difficulty in finding new work, long working hours, and/or increased job demands [ 30 ].…”

“…Four (18%, 4/22) studies addressed the individual health status as an influencing factor towards physical activity participation [ 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Optimal physiological and mental health conditions could facilitate participation in physical activity.…”

“…Optimal physiological and mental health conditions could facilitate participation in physical activity. Midlife South Asian immigrant women identified that optimal physical and psychological health, in addition to the emphasis on the external beauty of participants through interventions, was able to promote positive attitudes towards physical activity [ 28 ]. Subpar health status prevented participation in physical activity interventions.…”

Perceptions of Physical Activity in Middle-aged Women with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Self-efficacy, defined as the confidence to engage in physical activity, has been associated with greater participation in physical activity in general and among midlife women, including Latina women (Daniel et al, 2018; Janssen et al, 2014; Komar-Samardzija et al, 2012; Tovar et al, 2018). Conversely, the results of a comparative study showed that middle-aged women with T2D reported lower self-efficacy for physical activity than those without the condition (Vanden Bosch et al, 2015).…”

“…Barriers are the negative consequences of determining whether the behavior is worth the benefits (Glanz et al, 2008). Study findings have indicated that several factors act as exercise barriers for middle-aged women with and without T2D: lack of time or motivation, disinterest, fatigue, feelings of embarrassment, life-stage commitments to family or others, lack of social support, injury, or fear of exercise-induced symptoms (Daniel et al, 2018; McGuire et al, 2014: Wilcox et al, 2000). Furthermore, the findings of one large study showed that urinary incontinence symptoms greatly decreased middle-aged women’s exercise participation (Nygaard et al, 2005).…”