Barriers and facilitators to developing faith-based peer interventions in Islamic religious settings for obesity prevention in women: A qualitative exploratory study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Muslims represent the second-largest religious group in England and are geographically concentrated in socioeconomically deprived areas, predisposing them to health disparities. Faith-based interventions in Muslim communities are under-researched, despite their potential to promote health among hard-to-reach groups. This study investigated the barriers and facilitators to developing faith-based peer interventions aimed at reducing obesity-related health inequalities among South Asian Muslim women.

Methods

Using a qualitative approach, the study involved semi-structured interviews with nine Muslim women and six religious leaders of South Asian heritage, in Walsall, England. Interviews explored women's health beliefs, the community milieu, attitudes towards faith-ba

SUBMITTER: Shafique M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12768345 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature