ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Health Education and Promotion
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1477025
Perspectives of Physical Activity in Combating Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from a Multi-ethnic Urban Population
Provisionally accepted
- Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), amid rapid urbanization and shifting lifestyle patterns. In Dubai’s uniquely diverse population—where expatriates from over 200 nationalities comprise 85% of residents—understanding perspectives on physical activity (PA) is crucial for effective health promotion. This qualitative study explored the experiences, views, and strategies of stakeholders regarding PA as a means to prevent MetS in Dubai’s multi-ethnic context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 stakeholders, including senior policy officials, gym owners and managers, personal trainers, gym members, and inactive individuals, recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis identified core themes, while content analysis using Hofstede’s cultural framework illuminated the cultural influences shaping PA behaviours. Results revealed widespread recognition of the important role of PA in preventing and managing MetS but also highlighted significant cultural and environmental barriers to participation. The findings underscore the importance of culturally tailored interventions and cross-sector collaboration to promote active lifestyles. Insights from this research have the potential to guide the creation of culturally sensitive public health approaches tailored to Dubai’s diverse population.
Keywords: physical activity1, metabolic syndrome2, Hofstede Cultural Framework3, stakeholder theory4, Non-communicable diseases5
Received: 30 Jan 2025; Accepted: 22 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Ali, Elliott, Cohen and Evans. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Bushra Ali, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
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