Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - What factors are associated with obesity‐related health behaviours among child refugees following resettlement in developed countries?
T2 - A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence
AU - Alsubhi, Maha
AU - Goldthorpe, Joanna
AU - Epton, Tracy
AU - Khanom, Sonia
AU - Peters, Sarah
PY - 2020/11/30
Y1 - 2020/11/30
N2 - Refugee children are likely to become less active and eat more unhealthily after their resettlement in developed countries. This review aims to identify and synthesize research about factors that influence unhealthy behaviours related to obesity in this population. Six electronic databases were searched systematically to identify studies that sampled refugee children or parents of refugee children aged 2 to 16 years who have resettled in a developed country. Methodological and cultural study quality was assessed and factors associated with obesity‐related health behaviours investigated. Twenty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five major themes, representing factors influencing health behaviours, were identified from the data synthesis process: Acculturation, Environmental, Socioeconomic, Cognitive, and Family. The analysis revealed that refugee's health behaviours are influenced by several complex factors that are common to immigrant groups but have a greater influence among refugees. The review also revealed parental practices influence the health behaviours of children, especially those aged 2 to 10 years. Research is needed to understand further the role that parents have in influencing health behaviours and weight trajectories of children following resettlement.
AB - Refugee children are likely to become less active and eat more unhealthily after their resettlement in developed countries. This review aims to identify and synthesize research about factors that influence unhealthy behaviours related to obesity in this population. Six electronic databases were searched systematically to identify studies that sampled refugee children or parents of refugee children aged 2 to 16 years who have resettled in a developed country. Methodological and cultural study quality was assessed and factors associated with obesity‐related health behaviours investigated. Twenty studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five major themes, representing factors influencing health behaviours, were identified from the data synthesis process: Acculturation, Environmental, Socioeconomic, Cognitive, and Family. The analysis revealed that refugee's health behaviours are influenced by several complex factors that are common to immigrant groups but have a greater influence among refugees. The review also revealed parental practices influence the health behaviours of children, especially those aged 2 to 10 years. Research is needed to understand further the role that parents have in influencing health behaviours and weight trajectories of children following resettlement.
KW - diet
KW - health behaviours
KW - physical activity
KW - refugee parents
U2 - 10.1111/obr.13058
DO - 10.1111/obr.13058
M3 - Journal article
VL - 21
JO - Obesity Reviews
JF - Obesity Reviews
SN - 1467-7881
IS - 11
M1 - e13058
ER -