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Background: Evidence has shown the need and benefits of health behaviours specifically, physical activity and healthy eating habits. However, discrepancies in cultural norms have resulted in significantly different ways of appreciating and engaging in these health behaviours. The challenges arising from migration are evident with possible effects which can be detrimental to the health of the migrated women. Hence, a more in-depth understanding of any discrepancies existing in cultural norms on health behaviours in the Zimbabwean and Swedish culture and how these views influence the women’s health behaviours, is vital in ensuring that they are not exposed to a higher disease risk.

Methods: A qualitative design was used in this study. Five interviews were carried out with purposively sampled Zimbabwean women living in Sweden. The interview guide used in data collection focused on understanding their culture on health behaviours and their views on their experiences of health habits in Sweden. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The analysis of Zimbabwean women’s view of the Swedish culture of healthy behaviour in comparison to their own resulted in a theme; experiencing the power and influence of society which explained how their behaviours were shaped by their own context.The theme; exercise is not part of a Zimbabwean woman’s priority list described the trends in engaging in physical activity. The theme; health promoting environment: non-existent mentioned the limitations they faced in their home environment in pursuing healthy lifestyles. Whereas the theme; appreciating aspects of Sweden explained the elements in Sweden they found to be beneficial in encouraging healthy habits. Lastly the theme; living through the process of acculturation describes the journey they lived through, beginning from the challenges they faced in adjusting, the norms they faced that were different until they eventually adapted and discovered what worked best for them.

Conclusion: Given the significant discrepancies in cultural norms and their possible health effects, the study suggests that conscious efforts be made to help women in settling in. Understanding their cultural background is beneficial in explaining their health habits. This information can be useful in informing future policies and interventions in Sweden to reduce their risk of diseases. In Zimbabwe, it can inform policy makers on how to improve the environment to make it more health promoting.