SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Public Health Rev.
Socio-economic, cultural, and environmental barriers to adopting a healthy diet and physical activity in low-resource settings: A Systematic review
- MD
Melkamu Dugassa Kassa 1,2
- JM
Jeanne Martin Grace 1
1. University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Health Sciences, Durban, South Africa
2. Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Abstract
Objectives: This review looked at the obstacles to healthy diets and physical activity in low-resource areas, which are important for preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: We searched four databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception to December 2023. Results: The analysis of 36 studies, mostly from Africa (56%) and Asia (25%), identified eight main barriers across three connected areas. Socioeconomic barriers (89% of studies) included poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare. Cultural barriers (78%) involved preferences for traditional, unhealthy diets and gender norms. Environmental barriers (83%) included inadequate infrastructure, a lack of safe places for exercise, and limited access to healthy diets. Importantly, 67% of studies noted interactions between these types of barriers. Conclusion: Preventing NCDs in Low and Middle-Income Countries is complicated by a mix of socio-economic, cultural, and environmental challenges. Effective public health efforts need strategies that are tailored to the specific context. These should include policy changes, community involvement, improved infrastructure, better food access, safe spaces for recreation, and health promotion that takes culture into account to tackle this complex issue.
Summary
Keywords
Culturalfactors, environment, Healthylifestyle, Physicalactivity, Socioeconomic factors
Received
27 July 2025
Accepted
16 March 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Kassa and Grace. 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: Jeanne Martin Grace
Disclaimer
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