Health Behaviors

Health behaviors are particular actions an individual takes that affect their direct health. Some of these behaviors can improve one's health, such as eating healthy foods, taking care of one's mental health, and making time for regular physical activity. Other behaviors that may cause a negative effect on health include, alcohol intake, drug use, not sleeping enough, etc. Different racial and ethnic backgrounds can impact how an individual makes their choices. Cultural and religious attitudes lead people to make different decisions on types of foods they eat, vaccination beliefs, and western medicine attitudes (Abuelezam, 2018).

It’s important to take cultural health behaviors into consideration in order to create more personable care to every individual, and create interventions that are helpful to the community.

Below we explore two of the common health behaviors exemplified by the Arab American community.

Physical Activity

Studies conducted on Arab American physical activity are limited, but existing studies suggest that individuals with greater ties to their culture tended to have lower levels of reported physical activity than those who are more acculturated (Kahan, 2011). Some of the perceived cultural influences to this lower level of physical activity include, cultural views on body image, limited knowledge on health benefits, accessibility issues, and religious influence. For example, in Arab communities, cultural gender roles can be a hindrance to physical activity for women specifically. Some Arab migrants hold views that physical activity does not adhere to feminine expectation and that it is “more acceptable for men to be outside the home in comparison to women” (Aymen, 2021). It’s important to look at this health behavior through a cultural lens in order to have more information on associated cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing among this population.

Tobacco Use

Research regarding Arab American tobacco use is plentiful and extensive. In a number of studies conducted in Michigan and Minnesota, the prevalence for Arab American tobacco use is estimated to range from 6% - 45 % (Abuelezam, 2018). For many, tobacco use has deep cultural/religious ties. Many people in the Arab American population come from countries where, culturally, tobacco use is often seen as a sign of maturity and hospitality (Haddad, 2013). In one study conducted on Arab American smoking behavior, Arab Americans who showed to spend more time with others who practiced the same cultural and religious practices, were more dependent on nicotine (Al-Omari, 2009). Again, it is important to look at this health behavior through a cultural lens to provide better care to those individuals who belong to this population/ community.