Factors Shaping Dietary Choices of Black African Immigrant Women with Overweight and Obesity from West Africa Living in the UK

Obesity is a major global health issue, increasing morbidity and mortality through its association with noncommunicable diseases. Black African women experience disproportionately high obesity rates, reaching 37% in the UK, reflecting complex genetic, sociocultural, and environmental factors, with migration influencing dietary changes. This study explored factors shaping the dietary choices of Black African immigrant women with overweight and obesity in the UK, focusing on individual, sociocultural, and environmental influences. A qualitative design was employed, using semi-structured online interviews with 15 participants, analyzed thematically through reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were African immigrant women from sub-Saharan Africa, ages ≥18 years, first- or second-generation immigrants, with a BMI >25 kg/m². Recruitment and interviews occurred between March and May 2024. Findings revealed tensions between sociocultural food preferences and children's Westernized tastes. Cultural identity, food-related shame, and ambivalence about traditional diets in public or work settings shaped practices. Work demands and limited time constrained preparation of traditional meals, while economic pressures and high costs of culturally appropriate foods restricted choices. Psychological stress and reliance on convenience foods emerged as coping strategies, often undermining health intentions. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored, community-based interventions addressing barriers of cost, access, and time as well as potential strategies to support dietary autonomy and cultural retention. Future research should adopt longitudinal approaches to examine how these dynamics evolve, informing sustainable interventions.