Developing culturally adapted lifestyle interventions for South Asian migrant populations: a qualitative study of the key success factors and main challenges

OBJECTIVES: South Asian migrant populations have a high risk of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study is to provide in-depth insight into key success factors and challenges in developing culturally adapted lifestyle interventions to prevent T2D within South Asian migrant populations.

STUDY DESIGN: The study has a qualitative research design.

METHODS: In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide, were conducted with eight researchers and project leaders from five studies of culturally adapted lifestyle interventions for South Asian migrant populations. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach.

RESULTS: Four main themes emerged as key factors for success: 'approaching the community in the right way', 'the intervention as a space for social relations', 'support from public authorities' and 'being reflexive and flexible'. Two themes emerged as challenges: 'struggling with time' and 'overemphasising cultural differences'.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings augment existing research by establishing the importance of cooperation at the organisational and institutional levels, of fostering the creation of social networks through interventions and of acknowledging the multiplicity of identities and resources among individuals of the same ethnic origin.