An Investigation of Access to and Uptake of Physical Activity in South Asian Communities

Project manager: D. Bob Snape & Phil Binks

Tel ext: 01204 90 3609

e-mail address: r.snape@bolton.ac.uk|

South Asian communities – that is, British Asian communities of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage – tend to experience very poor health in comparison with the population as a whole. Many of the health problems which beset Asian communities – especially heart disease, diabetes and obesity – could be addressed through participation in physical activity and sport. However, South Asian communities exhibit some of the lowest participation rates in physical activity. Hence there has been much recent interest in increasing their involvement in activity and sport, though to date most interventions have not effected a significant improvement.

This project aims to further knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural significance of sport within South Asian communities. To date extensive field work has been undertaken in Blackburn with the co-operation of the Blackburn with Darwen PCT and the Blackburn North Healthy Living Centre. Focus group interviews have been undertaken with groups of Asian residents. The Healthy Living Centre is developing practice that has been highly successful in increasing participation in activity and the research is exploring why this form of practice is successful where other forms have failed. Preliminary and tentative conclusions suggest that activity for health had a greater cultural appeal than that for leisure and that interventions from within the Asian community are seen to be safer and more culturally sensitive than those imposed externally.