Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 865-883

Exploring Factors Influencing Childhood Obesity Prevention Among Migrant Communities in Victoria, Australia: A Qualitative Study (Article)

Renzaho A.M.N.* , Green J. , Smith B.J. , Polonsky M.
  • a Humanitarian and Development Studies, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
  • b Population Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Flemington Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Flemington Rd., Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia, Raising Children Network, Parenting Research Centre, 232 Victoria Pde, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
  • c Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
  • d Dept. of Marketing, Deakin Business School, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia

Abstract

Despite the availability of numerous obesity prevention initiatives in developed countries including Australia, rising childhood obesity levels have been found among migrant communities which contribute to widening obesity-related disparities in these countries. We sought to understand the factors influencing the participation of migrant communities in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews among 48 migrant parents from African, Middle Eastern, Indian and Vietnamese origins living in disadvantaged areas of Victoria, Australia to explore their views on childhood obesity and its prevention. Thematic analysis showed low obesity literacy among migrant communities, cultural influences negatively impacting their healthy lifestyle behaviours and cultural, family-level and community-level barriers impacting their participation in childhood obesity prevention initiatives. There is an urgent need to improve obesity literacy among migrant communities using bicultural workers in order to improve their responsiveness to childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Health interventionists are urged to incorporate culturally-mediated influences in the design of obesity prevention programs to achieve energy balance and maintain healthy weight among migrants. Such culturally appropriate approaches have the potential of reducing the widening ethnic-related obesity disparities in Australia. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

Migrants Childhood obesity Obesity disparities CALD communities Obesity prevention

Index Keywords

Parents health promotion human Health Behavior middle aged Victoria ethnology qualitative research interview Humans psychology Interviews as Topic male female cultural factor Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice organization and management adult migration Cultural Characteristics Transients and Migrants health literacy Pediatric Obesity childhood obesity attitude to health child parent relation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85023167424&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-017-0620-6&partnerID=40&md5=ae549b5ff878ccc689940f95a29aba3d
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-017-0620-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English