Conference Agenda

Background and aim:

Ethnically diverse communities in urbanised settings are less engaged with the built environment for physical activity, contributing to the persistence of health inequalities. This research synthesises the evidence about the factors influencing engagement with the built environment for physical activity among diverse communities living in the UK.

Methods:

CINAHL, Medline, SocINDEX, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus were searched to identify sources (January 2015 - April 2025). The review followed the JBI framework of evidence synthesis and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews guidelines. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies were included with participants aged ≥18 years, from Eastern European, Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian communities in the UK. Included studies were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and mapped deductively onto the COM-B model and the TDF.

Result:

Of the 2,298 studies screened, 10 studies were included in the review (3 quantitative, 5 qualitative, and 2 mixed-methods studies). 14 themed factors were coded to the COM-B model: Capability (n=2); opportunity (n=7); motivation (n=5); with the assistance of the TDF. The identified themes included health status, knowledge, cultural factors, socioeconomic factors, and habits.

Conclusion:

There is a need to engage with members of diverse communities and community stakeholders to ensure policies and interventions designed to improve health behaviours are culturally responsive.

Funding:

This research is jointly funded by the University of Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Council, UK.

Implications for policy and practice:

Contributes to an Equalities approach to actively consider how underserved communities engage with the built environment for physical activity.