Gender-related sociocultural factors impacting physical activity among female South Asians: A scoping review

Describe the literature on the impact of gender-related social and cultural factors on physical activity (PA) among South Asian women and girls.

Five databases were searched, 1,768 articles were identified, and 13 articles were included in this review. Themes were categorized based on three levels of influence: microsystem (interpersonal), mesosystem (environmental interactions), and macrosystem (cultural beliefs/values).

The most common facilitator was social support (microsystem): husbands for women and parents for girls. The most common barrier was culturally dictating gender roles that discouraged PA (macrosystem). Culturally acceptable forms of PA (e.g., religious dance, daily prayers) and modesty norms varied by religion. Perceptions about participating in PA varied between first- and second-generation immigrants (mesosystem); however, the majority perceived women and girls' PA participation as "Westernized" behavior.

Limited intervention studies have aimed to increase the PA of South Asian women and girls. Such interventions must address gender roles and norms and test whether enhanced social support and culturally acceptable forms of PA are effective strategies to increase PA levels in this population.