Table 2 Characteristics of the selected studies and Quality assessment (n = 11)
Author, year | Purpose of study | Host country | Participant´s country of origin | Study design | Sampling instrument | Sampling size | Study Findings relevant to the research | Quality Assessment (1–10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Addo et al., 2019 | To explore socio-cultural beliefs about an ideal body size among Australian residents who were born in Sub-Saharan Africa | Australia | Sub Saharan Africa | Qualitative | Interview | 24 | A moderately large body size is idealized in sub–Saharan Africa communities. Post-migration weight gain is regarded as evidence of well-being. Body ideals are different for men and women, ideals promoted by family and friends | 8 High quality |
Adekeye et al., 2014 | To understand health literacy levels, and health concerns from the perspective of older African immigrants, to empower the African immigrant community to express their opinions and to inform and influence key community stakeholders of issues identified by the African immigrant community | United States | African immigrants | Qualitative | Photography with focus group interview | 15 | Nutrition, obesity and physical activity, occupational regulation and educational opportunities, feeling of security and public safety, ethno-racial diversity and the health care system, and religiosity and social well-being | 8 High quality |
Alemu et al., 2021 | To explore the behavioral, normative and control beliefs of physical activity among first-generation Ethiopian immigrants living in the DC-Metro area | United States | Ethiopia | Qualitative | Focused group interviews,observations | 15 | Increased longevity, mental well-being, improved sleep and improved metabolism were listed as the common benefits of physical activity. Lack of time, family responsibility, neighbourhood safety, location of the gym, lack of awareness and social and economic stressors were the major barriers to engage in physical activity | 8 High quality |
Babatunde-Sowole et al., 2018 | Describe women's experiences of weight gain and obesity as they became acculturate to the Australian diet and lifestyle | Australia | West African countries | Qualitative | Storytelling using open ended questions | 11 | Obesity has long -term consequences for health and wellbeing | 7 Moderate quality |
Brathwaite & Lemonde, 2015 | To explore health beliefs held by adult African immigrants regarding diabetes and their practices in preventing it | Canada | African immigrants | Qualitative | Focus group interview | 14 | Health beliefs and cultural practices influenced behaviour in preventing type 2 diabetes | 8 High quality |
Ibe-Lamberts et al., 2018 | To explore the cultural perception of transnational African immigrants on physical activity and to investigate the various factors that influence attitudes and beliefs of transnational African immigrants towards physical activity based on their multinational connection | United States | Nigeria | Qualitative | Interview with photo-elicitation | 24 | Participants identified factors such as cultural differences, lack of education, and transnational responsibilities as influential to their choices for physical activity | 6 Moderate quality |
Janzon & Bolmsjö, 2013 | To examine post migration dietary changes, and knowledge about risks for heart diseases among Somali women. To examine the women's perceptions of body image, self-esteem, and their knowledge about the positive effect of physical activity | Sweden | Somali | Interview | 8 | Somali migrated women in Sweden had changed their diet and experienced weight increase. They reported low self-esteem and little motivation for physical activity. Participants'general knowledge about the relation between obesity and inactivity enhanced risk for heart diseases and had preference for a larger female body image. Participants also expressed low self-esteem, loneliness and alienation from society | 7 Moderate quality | |
Kaplan et al., 2013 | To understand the perception of Ghanaians immigrants of the health status and heath trajectory of their community | United States | Ghana | Qualitative | Focus group interview | 63 | Changes in health behaviors, increased stress, environmental exposures, and barriers to health care | 6 Moderate quality |
Nicolaou et al., 2012 | To gain insight into the influences on Moroccan migrant women's weight and weight related behaviour by enriching their perspectives with those of their non-migrant compatriots living in Morocco | Netherlands | Morocco | Qualitative | Focus group | 53 | Lack of knowledge regarding appropriate physical activity. Low levels of physical activity attributed to changes in lifestyle due to migration, with problems adjusting to these changes. A cultural shift in preference towards slimmer body sizes was also reported | 6 Moderate quality |
Simonsen et al., 2015 | To learn about the underlying social, cultural and gender issues that contribute to the increased obesity risk among Utah women and to inform intervention development | United States | Burundi, Rwanda, African Americans, African Indians, Hispanics and pacific Islanders | Qualitative | Focus group interviews | 60 | Health is multidimensional, a lack of resources and time influence physical activity behaviours and food choices, the norms about healthy weight vary across cultural groups, women and men have important but different influences on diet and physical activity practices within the house hole, women hold an influential role in the health of families and children, and opportunities exist within each of the communities to improve weight related health | 6 Moderate quality |
Turk et al., 2014 | To explore the perceptions and practices of Nigerian immigrants regarding healthy eating and physical activity in the United States, to assess the influence of cultural beliefs of Nigerian immigrants on eating and physical activity, to describe the role that healthcare providers can play to promote healthy eating and physical activity and to evaluate the feasibility of Nigerian immigrants regarding healthy eating and physical activity | United States | Nigeria | Qualitative | Photography with focus group discussions | 13 | Moderation is healthy, Nigerian ways of living are healthy, acquiring American ways is unhealthy, and cultural context is important to promote healthy behaviors | 7 Moderate quality |