Behaviors and Recognition Related to Overweight among Filipino Women Migrants to Japan Concerning Food, Exercise, Sleep, and Stress Coping

Abstract

Objective: To explore the behaviors and recognition of Filipino women in Japan about food, exercise, sleep, stress coping.

Method: We performed semi-structured interviews with 10 Filipino women who were older than 40 years and had been staying in Japan for more than 5 years. The data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive methodology.

Results: The behaviors to prevent obesity recognized by the Filipino women residing in Japan fell under these categories: ［Changing eating habits for obesity prevention and health maintenance］， ［Exercising to manage obesity-related diseases and health maintenance］，［Ensuring adequate sleep for health］ and ［Coping with daily stress］. Additionally, they recognized behaviors that prevent obesity, such as ［Changing eating habits that may cause obesity］，［Factors for the inability to exercise in daily life］，［Sleep patterns that cause obesity］ and ［Eating as a stress coping behaviour］.

Discussion: The findings revealed inconsistencies in the obesity prevention behaviors of Filipino women residing in Japan, and that they tended to use trial and error the and error to maintain health behaviors that were cultivated in both the Philippines and Japan. It is suggested that the pressure to assimilate into the Japanese culture and the changes in the sex role as a woman in Japan, influences their inconsistent obesity prevention behaviors.

Conclusion: We should provide obesity prevention support to Filipino women residing in Japan to address their inconsistent health behaviors that are based on trial and error and to help them maintain health behaviors cultivated in both the Philippines and Japan.