Exploring the barriers and facilitators to making healthy physical activity lifestyle choices among UK BAME adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review of qualitative study

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is widely recognised as being integral to physical and mental wellbeing. The World Health Organisation recommends around 150–300 minutes of moderately intense PA per week for adults aged 18–64 years. Physical inactivity costs the UK £7.4 billion per year and is associated with one out of every six deaths that occur in the country. The review aims at exploring the barriers and facilitators to making healthy PA lifestyle choices among UK BAME adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Database searches were conducted in CINAHL, AMED, Medline, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. There are 53 records that were identified. After removing three duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 50 papers were screened. Of these, all but 50 studies were excluded after reviewing the title and abstracts, resulting in no studies eligible for inclusion. Data extraction using the JBI-QARI data extraction template was performed, followed by a narrative synthesis of the resulting data; however, no eligible studies were identified. This empty systematic review without meta-analysis, highlighted major research gaps and indicated the state of the evidence between 2019–2021. The review has, through the application of theoretical models (COM-B and TTM), highlighted themes that need to be addressed.

Keywords:

• Physical activity
• facilitators
• adults
• barriers
• COVID-19
• BAME

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Joe Thomas, School of Global Health, Institute of Health and Management, Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

SUBJECTS:

• Education - Social Sciences; Health Education and Promotion

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Johnson Mbabazi

Dr. Johnson Mbabazi, an associate lecturer at Teesside University. He is also the co-founder and chairman of the Teesside University Health Students Research Network. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, a Fellow of the European Public Health Association, and an associate of the Royal College of Physicians. He has published a lot of peer-reviewed articles and books. A multiple international award-winning author and UK Plaque winner. This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO 2022 with reference number CRD42022320070. The findings of this review were disseminated at a poster presentation. The 67th Annual Scientific Meeting at the University of Newcastle Society for Social Medicine and Population Health (SSM) conference poster abstract will help to highlight barriers and facilitators of the physical activities of ethnic minorities and improve policies during COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Fiona MacGregor

Fiona MacGregor is a Principal Lecturer for International, SHLS Allied Health at Teesside University and part of the member of the Teesside University Health Student Research Network (TUHSRN).

Jeff Breckon

Prof. Jeff Breckon is Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the School of Health and Life Sciences at Teesside University and member of TUHSRN.

Barry Tolchard

Prof. Barry Tolchard is Director of Integrated Care Academy and a member TUHSRN.

David Watson

David Watson, Academic librarian at Teesside University

Julie Hogg

Julie Hogg an academic librarian at Teesside University

Edward Kunonga

Prof. Edward Kunonga is a lecturer and a member of TUHSRN at Teesside University

Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso

Dr. Dorothy Irene Nalweyiso is Doctor of Public Health at Teesside University, part time lecturer at Makerere University and a member TUHSRN.

Jennifer Teke

Dr. Jennifer Teke is Doctor of Public Health at Teesside University, Head of Research & Innovation at Medway Community Hospital and a member of TUHSRN.

Rosemary Dawson

Rosemary Dawson is a consultant midwife and a member of TUHSRN.

George William Kagugube

George William Kagugube is an associate lecturer and a PhD student at University College London as well as a member of TUHSRN.

Mona Salman

Dr. Mona Salman Doctor of Public Health at Teesside University and a member TUHSRN

Andrew S. Richardson

Dr. Andrew S. Richardson is Doctor of Public Health at Teesside University and a member TUHSRN.

Misheck Nkhata

Dr. Misheck Nkhata is a Lecturer in Global Public Health at Teesside University and a m ember of TUHSRN.

Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi

Dr. Lawrence Achilles Nnyanzi is a Senior Lecturer in Research Methods Programme Leader Doctorate in Public Health and a member of TUHSRN