Physical Activity of Swedish Immigrants and Their Health Outcomes, Barriers and Facilitators To Be Physically Active: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract: Immigrants of Sweden are suffering from various non-communicable diseases more than Swedish natives which becomes a major public health concern nowadays. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the physical activity level of Swedish immigrants compare to Swedish-born, their physical and mental health outcomes, and barriers and facilitators of being physically active. Electronic database CINAHL PLUS, PUBMED, EBSCOhost, SWEPUB was searched and 17 articles were included which was peer-reviewed, English language, based on physical activity of immigrants living in Sweden. Findings of these articles revealed that immigrants had a higher prevalence of non-communicable, anxiety, depression more than Swedish natives. Lack of motivation, weather, cultural and language barriers, environmental, infrastructure, and economic barriers are identified as barriers. Self-motivation, family and social support, culturally appropriate strategies, government-induced programs, community support are identified as facilitators of being physically active. The quality of evidence of outcomes scored by using GRADE. In conclusion, the available evidence support that immigrants are less physically active than Swedish-born and lack physical activity associated with their physical and mental health outcomes and there are several barriers and facilitators for being physically active.