Experiences and perceptions of body weight among Turkish immigrant women in Norway
International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care
ISSN: 1747-9894
Article publication date: 10 February 2021
Issue publication date: 18 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore beliefs and experiences of Turkish immigrant women in Norway related to body weight, nutrition and exercise practices.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has a qualitative research design. Ten semi-structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with a purposive sample of Turkish immigrant women residing in Oslo, Norway. Themes were identified in the transcripts using systematic text condensation.
Findings
Participants viewed Turkish women as more commonly overweight or obese compared to Norwegian women. Weight was discussed openly among Turkish women and a preference to lose weight, both as individuals and among community members more broadly, also emerged. For participants, this represented a generational shift. Participants identified their barriers to weight loss, including norms around socialization and food in their community and exercise and eating practices during the long Nordic winter.
Practical implications
Participants expressed a tension between concern about health impacts of overweight and obesity and the desire to uphold cultural practices around food. Weight-related health-care initiatives for Turkish immigrant women can take into account such experiences shaped by their interaction with multiple cultures.
Originality/value
Participants emphasized that perspectives about weight in their Turkish immigrant community were influenced by the transition toward thin weight ideals in Turkey. Self-image regarding weight was also situated within the context of being immigrants in Norway.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the participants for their time and for sharing about their experiences. And also thank Bernadette N. Kumar, MD, PhD, Emine Kale, Clinical Psychologist, PhD and other members of the Norwegian Center for Minority Health Research and the USA–Norway Fulbright Foundation for their guidance and support.Funding: funding for this study was provided by the Norwegian Center for Minority Health Research. ER was supported by a Fulbright USA student grant to Norway during the 2016–2017 academic year. The USA–Norway Fulbright Foundation was not involved in the conduct of this study.
Citation
Rieger, E.Y., Terragni, L. and Czapka, E.A. (2021), "Experiences and perceptions of body weight among Turkish immigrant women in Norway", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 92-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-08-2020-0077
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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